Five police officers have been shot dead at a protest in Dallas
Seven more officers were injured in the shooting, some critically
The gunman has been named as 25-year-old Micah Xavier Johnson
Upset about police killings of black people, Johnson said he wanted to kill whites, especially white police officers
He was killed by an explosive device detonated by a police robot
Three other suspects are in custody and are refusing to co-operate with police
The protest in Dallas was sparked by the shootings of Philando Castile and Alton Sterling by police in Minnesota and Louisiana
Live Reporting
By Joel Gunter, Ashley Gold and Tim Swift
All times stated are UK
Our live coverage of the Dallas shooting has ended
AP
People paid tributes to the slain officers in Dallas
Thanks for sticking with us throughout our live coverage of the shootings in Dallas. Keep with BBC News US for all of the latest updates. Follow our correspondents on the ground: Tara McKelvey, Laura Bicker, James Cook and Nick Bryant.
BreakingDallas police find explosives and personal journal in gunman's home
The Dallas Police Department just released an update on its investigation into Micah Xavier Johnson.
Twitter
Libertarian presidential candidate says 'drug war' is cause of police shootings
AFP
Mr Johnson said the root of violence is the war on drugs
Libertarian presidential candidate Gary Johnson said tensions between police and minority groups is caused by the criminalisation of drugs in the US.
The root is the war on drugs, I believe. Police knocking down doors, shooting first,” Mr Johnson told Politico. “If you are (black and) arrested in a drug-related crime, there is four times more likelihood of going to prison than if you are white. And shooting is part of the same phenomenon.”
“That’s the common thread. Shootings are occurring with black people, black people are dying. This is an escalation.”
Dallas shakes media critic's faith in video's power to change things
AFP
The Baltimore Sun's David Zurawik writes:
I thought, after seeing the arrest of Freddie Gray and the deaths of Eric Garner and Walter Scott, that the citizen videos of black men dying in police custody might change us for the better. ...
But not any more, after watching the grotesque deaths of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile and the chaos and slaughter that left five police officers dead in Dallas this week.
The presumptive Democratic nominee is speaking on CNN.
"Too many African-Americans have been killed in encounters with police," she said. "I will call for white people to put ourselves in the shoes of those African-American families who fear every time their children go somewhere."
White people are the ones who must listen to "legitimate cries" from fellow African-American citizens, she said.
"We need more love and kindness," she said.
Top police departments in the US advise officers to work in pairs
Reuters
The shooting deaths of five police officers in Dallas have prompted many of the country's largest's departments to change the way they operate - at least temporarily.
“In light of the tragic events across the country this week, including the unspeakable police assassinations in Dallas, CPD has designated that all officers must be paired up with their partners to increase visibility and strengthen officer safety,” Chicago police spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi said in a statement.
Both the Boston and New York police departments are also advising officers to work in pairs.
ABC News reported that the New York Police Department sent a memo urging its officers to "remain vigilant at all times while in uniform".
So far in 2016, 56 US law enforcement officers have died in the line of duty, 26 of whom were killed by gunfire, according to data from the Officer Down Memorial Page.
However, experts say annual totals can be misleading.
David Harris, a University of Pittsburgh law professor, told the BBC we cannot predict how many police killings will take place through the remainder of 2016, which makes it difficult to determine if police killings are on the rise.
"Trends are up and down year to year," he says.
For example, 2015 marked a record low with 16 officers killed by gunfire during this period, which makes 2016 look particularly high in comparison, says Seth Stoughton, a former policeman and University of South Carolina law professor.
More on this from the BBC's Courtney Subramanian here.
The first rule in law enforcement is to make it home at the end of your shift. That doesn't make me want to go out and build long-term relationships with people.
New York police chief says no to Trump 'photo op'
Getty Images
The New York Daily News is reporting that Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump sought to speak to New York City police officers on Friday, but Police Commissioner Bill Bratton declined the offer.
"Our interest is staying out of the politics of the moment, and not to provide photo ops," Mr Bratton said. "If Mr Trump wants to speak to me, I would be happy to brief him on what we’re doing. If Senator Clinton wants to speak to me, I would very happy to brief her on what we’re doing. But we are not in the business of providing photo ops for our candidates.”
Dallas mother wounded while shielding her children
Facebook
Shetamia Taylor was shielding her chidlren
One civilian who was injured in the Dallas shootings is Shetamia Taylor, who was shot while shielding her four sons. She is recovering in a hospital.
Slain police officer's final tweet wished 'my beloved America' a happy birthday
Gunman Micah Xavier Johnson lived in a quiet suburb
Gunman Micah Xavier Johnson lived with his mother in the Dallas suburb of Mesquite. The BBC's Laura Bicker is in Mesquite looking for more information about the man who killed five police officers and wounded seven others.
Texas Lt Governor calls protesters 'hypocrites' for running from danger
AP
An emotional Texas Lt Governor Dan Patrick blamed Black Lives Matters protesters for "creating situations like we saw last night" during television interview on Friday.
"All those protesters last night, they turned around and ran the other way expecting the men and women in blue to protect them. What hypocrites!" Mr Patrick told Fox News.
"I do blame people on social media with their hatred toward police," he said. "I do blame former Black Lives Matter protests. ... This has to stop."
A lone gunman or multiple snipers? Confusion persists
The New York Times and other outlets are reporting that Micah Xavier Johnson appears to be the only gunman in the mass shooting that killed five police officers and wounded seven others. Earlier reports indicated that were multiple snipers and three other people were brought into custody.
Dallas Police have not released any additional information about the number of snipers, but Chief David Brown mentioned to "suspects" at a vigil in downtown Dallas on Friday afternoon.
"This was a well-planned, well-thought-out, evil tragedy by these suspects," he said.
"The hashtag surges with each new case of a police killing of a black person that is seen as unjust, usually after a video emerges. This week it surged twice - with the fatal shootings of Philando Castile in Minnesota and Alton Sterling in Louisiana. Each time it surges, mostly peaceful protesters come out in US cities to declare that "Black Lives Matter"...
It's such a powerful rallying cry that some have controversially likened it to a reborn US civil rights movement. That's what was happening in Dallas on Thursday night - a peaceful Black Lives Matter protest - until suddenly, it was anything but.
The sniper fire at that protest eventually led to the murder of five Dallas police officers and the wounding of seven more. Two civilians at the protest were also wounded. And now, the phrase Black Lives Matter is suddenly on everyone's lips - and not in the way its supporters would like."
The White House has released the following statement:
As a mark of respect for the victims of the attack on police officers perpetrated on Thursday, July 7, 2016, in Dallas, Texas, by the authority vested in me as President of the United States by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, I hereby order that the flag of the United States shall be flown at half-staff at the White House and upon all public buildings and grounds, at all military posts and naval stations, and on all naval vessels of the Federal Government in the District of Columbia and throughout the United States and its Territories and possessions until sunset, July 12, 2016. I also direct that the flag shall be flown at half-staff for the same length of time at all United States embassies, legations, consular offices, and other facilities abroad, including all military facilities and naval vessels and stations.
Five police officers have been killed and several officers and civilians have been injured after a man opened fire near a peaceful protest in Dallas. What exactly happened?
What we know about the police officers who were killed
Twitter
Michael Krol, 40
Krol had been working for the Dallas police department since 2007. He was originally from the Detroit area.
Twitter
Brent Thompson, 43
Thompson was working for the Dallas Area Rapid Transit organisation, starting in 2009. He had recently gotten married. He is first officer from DART to ever to be killed in the line of duty.
Twitter
Patrick Zamarripa, 32
Zamarripa served multiple tours in Iraq and was the married father of a two-year old daughter. The Washington Post has written a profile of Zamarripa.
One police officer who was killed has not yet been identified.
After the events of this week, Americans across the county are feeling a sense of helplessness, of uncertainty and of fear. These feelings are understandable and they are justified. But the answer must not be violence. The answer is never violence...
What we know about gunman Micah Xavier Johnson
Facebook
25 years old
served as an Army Reservist until April 2015, Defense Department confirms
also served as an enlisted soldier in the Army for nearly six years; served tour of duty in Afghanistan
from Mesquite, Texas - a Dallas suburb
no known criminal history or ties to terror groups
Facebook
Protesters, police posed together before shooting
The Dallas Police Department tweeted out photos of themselves peacefully standing along Black Lives Matter protesters before the shooting. Local media says that Black Lives Matter and the Dallas Police Department "have respect for each other" and that the protest was orderly before shots rang out.
"Most of you already know this by now today in Dallas , my son is a police officer in Dallas he was working there the rally in downtown where my son was shot and killed by a sniper along with four other police officers maybe more at this moment I'm still at the hospital here in Parkland Hospital to see him be moved to the medical examiner's office , need prayers to get through this"
Other friends and relatives shared photos of Zamarripa on social media.
Former Congressman: 'This is now war. Watch out Obama.'
Former Illinois Congressman Joe Walsh is facing a wave of criticism online after he threatened President Obama in a tweet. He has since deleted the tweet.
The Dallas transit officer who was killed on Thursday has been identified as Brent Thompson, 43.
"As you can imagine, our hearts are broken," the agency said in a statement. "This is something that touches every part of our organization. We have received countless expressions of support and sympathy from around the world through the evening. We are grateful for every message. Thank you."
The alleged Dallas gunman has been identified as 25-year-old Micah Johnson, US media report.
According to the Los Angeles Times, Johnson did not have a criminal history. The BBC has confirmed that he told law enforcement he did not pledge allegiance to any groups.
alyssamniccoleI writes: stayed up watching the events in Dallas unfold last night and was in complete shock. Much love for this city. Praying for peace in #Dallas and for all the families of the officers affected by the tragic event.
Republican, Democrat leaders honour officers in House
House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi and House Speaker Paul Ryan both gave speeches in the House to honour the officers killed in Dallas.
Brendan Tyler Hester, a 21-year-old photographer and filmmaker from Dallas, went down to the rally with a couple of his friends. Soon after, shots rang out.
"Once the shots rang out everyone started running and when I turned around to see where my friends were I saw a policeman next to me get shot," he told the BBC.
"He dropped to the ground screaming. The police shouted at us to run so I did and ended up at the bottom of a parking lot. There was a shooter on the top of it so I could see all of the shots coming down onto where the police were. I could hear more shouting and screaming. I was trapped with three or four other guys and we were trapped in the line of fire so we just had to make a run for it. We made it out and there were police everywhere...
I think every police officer in Dallas was downtown tonight. We were told to go one way but then there was more shots there so we had to turn back. In the end I had to run around half the city to get out of harms way."
Family of black man killed by police denounces Dallas attack
The family of Alton Sterling, a black man whose death at the hands of police in Louisiana sparked the Dallas protest, has called the shootings "reprehensible", reports AP.
Earlier this month, video footage appeared to show two white police officers holding down and fatally shooting Mr Sterling, 37, in Baton Rouge.
Listen: US police chief says he has never worked with blatant racists
The World at One
BBC Radio 4
The president of the American Police Foundation said he has "never worked with cops with a blatant racial bias" in his 33 years in the Southern California police force.
Chief Jim Bueermann said "human beings have implicit biases" and training to deal with those biases needs to "be taken to scale in the United States and wrapped around the entire culture of policing".
Live Reporting
By Joel Gunter, Ashley Gold and Tim Swift
All times stated are UK
Our live coverage of the Dallas shooting has ended
Thanks for sticking with us throughout our live coverage of the shootings in Dallas. Keep with BBC News US for all of the latest updates. Follow our correspondents on the ground: Tara McKelvey, Laura Bicker, James Cook and Nick Bryant.
BreakingDallas police find explosives and personal journal in gunman's home
The Dallas Police Department just released an update on its investigation into Micah Xavier Johnson.
Libertarian presidential candidate says 'drug war' is cause of police shootings
Libertarian presidential candidate Gary Johnson said tensions between police and minority groups is caused by the criminalisation of drugs in the US.
The root is the war on drugs, I believe. Police knocking down doors, shooting first,” Mr Johnson told Politico. “If you are (black and) arrested in a drug-related crime, there is four times more likelihood of going to prison than if you are white. And shooting is part of the same phenomenon.”
“That’s the common thread. Shootings are occurring with black people, black people are dying. This is an escalation.”
Dallas shakes media critic's faith in video's power to change things
The Baltimore Sun's David Zurawik writes:
I thought, after seeing the arrest of Freddie Gray and the deaths of Eric Garner and Walter Scott, that the citizen videos of black men dying in police custody might change us for the better. ...
But not any more, after watching the grotesque deaths of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile and the chaos and slaughter that left five police officers dead in Dallas this week.
Read more here
Hillary Clinton: 'We need more love and kindness'
The presumptive Democratic nominee is speaking on CNN.
"Too many African-Americans have been killed in encounters with police," she said. "I will call for white people to put ourselves in the shoes of those African-American families who fear every time their children go somewhere."
White people are the ones who must listen to "legitimate cries" from fellow African-American citizens, she said.
"We need more love and kindness," she said.
Top police departments in the US advise officers to work in pairs
The shooting deaths of five police officers in Dallas have prompted many of the country's largest's departments to change the way they operate - at least temporarily.
“In light of the tragic events across the country this week, including the unspeakable police assassinations in Dallas, CPD has designated that all officers must be paired up with their partners to increase visibility and strengthen officer safety,” Chicago police spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi said in a statement.
Both the Boston and New York police departments are also advising officers to work in pairs.
ABC News reported that the New York Police Department sent a memo urging its officers to "remain vigilant at all times while in uniform".
How often are US police killed?
So far in 2016, 56 US law enforcement officers have died in the line of duty, 26 of whom were killed by gunfire, according to data from the Officer Down Memorial Page.
However, experts say annual totals can be misleading.
David Harris, a University of Pittsburgh law professor, told the BBC we cannot predict how many police killings will take place through the remainder of 2016, which makes it difficult to determine if police killings are on the rise.
"Trends are up and down year to year," he says.
For example, 2015 marked a record low with 16 officers killed by gunfire during this period, which makes 2016 look particularly high in comparison, says Seth Stoughton, a former policeman and University of South Carolina law professor.
More on this from the BBC's Courtney Subramanian here.
New York police chief says no to Trump 'photo op'
The New York Daily News is reporting that Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump sought to speak to New York City police officers on Friday, but Police Commissioner Bill Bratton declined the offer.
"Our interest is staying out of the politics of the moment, and not to provide photo ops," Mr Bratton said. "If Mr Trump wants to speak to me, I would be happy to brief him on what we’re doing. If Senator Clinton wants to speak to me, I would very happy to brief her on what we’re doing. But we are not in the business of providing photo ops for our candidates.”
Dallas mother wounded while shielding her children
One civilian who was injured in the Dallas shootings is Shetamia Taylor, who was shot while shielding her four sons. She is recovering in a hospital.
Slain police officer's final tweet wished 'my beloved America' a happy birthday
Dallas shooting a setback for Black Lives Matter movement - activist
Newt Gingrich: 'It is more dangerous to be black in America'
Newt Gingrich, a potential running mate for Donald Trump, did a Facebook Live conversation about the Dallas shootings with CNN commentator Van Jones.
He said white Americans don't understand what it's like to be black, and that you have to raise your children differently than white parents.
International reaction to Dallas shootings
Updates from the ground in Dallas
From the BBC's Tara McKelvey:
Gunman Micah Xavier Johnson lived in a quiet suburb
Gunman Micah Xavier Johnson lived with his mother in the Dallas suburb of Mesquite. The BBC's Laura Bicker is in Mesquite looking for more information about the man who killed five police officers and wounded seven others.
Texas Lt Governor calls protesters 'hypocrites' for running from danger
An emotional Texas Lt Governor Dan Patrick blamed Black Lives Matters protesters for "creating situations like we saw last night" during television interview on Friday.
"All those protesters last night, they turned around and ran the other way expecting the men and women in blue to protect them. What hypocrites!" Mr Patrick told Fox News.
"I do blame people on social media with their hatred toward police," he said. "I do blame former Black Lives Matter protests. ... This has to stop."
A lone gunman or multiple snipers? Confusion persists
The New York Times and other outlets are reporting that Micah Xavier Johnson appears to be the only gunman in the mass shooting that killed five police officers and wounded seven others. Earlier reports indicated that were multiple snipers and three other people were brought into custody.
Dallas Police have not released any additional information about the number of snipers, but Chief David Brown mentioned to "suspects" at a vigil in downtown Dallas on Friday afternoon.
"This was a well-planned, well-thought-out, evil tragedy by these suspects," he said.
What does 'Black Lives Matter' mean now?
"The hashtag surges with each new case of a police killing of a black person that is seen as unjust, usually after a video emerges. This week it surged twice - with the fatal shootings of Philando Castile in Minnesota and Alton Sterling in Louisiana. Each time it surges, mostly peaceful protesters come out in US cities to declare that "Black Lives Matter"...
It's such a powerful rallying cry that some have controversially likened it to a reborn US civil rights movement. That's what was happening in Dallas on Thursday night - a peaceful Black Lives Matter protest - until suddenly, it was anything but.
The sniper fire at that protest eventually led to the murder of five Dallas police officers and the wounding of seven more. Two civilians at the protest were also wounded. And now, the phrase Black Lives Matter is suddenly on everyone's lips - and not in the way its supporters would like."
Read more from BBC Trending on the meaning of Black Lives Matter.
Thousands gather for vigil for slain police officers in Dallas
Snoop Dogg in downtown LA
Popular US rapper Snoop Dogg is outside of the Los Angeles Police Department protesting against police killings of black men.
Obama orders White House flag lowered
The White House has released the following statement:
As a mark of respect for the victims of the attack on police officers perpetrated on Thursday, July 7, 2016, in Dallas, Texas, by the authority vested in me as President of the United States by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, I hereby order that the flag of the United States shall be flown at half-staff at the White House and upon all public buildings and grounds, at all military posts and naval stations, and on all naval vessels of the Federal Government in the District of Columbia and throughout the United States and its Territories and possessions until sunset, July 12, 2016. I also direct that the flag shall be flown at half-staff for the same length of time at all United States embassies, legations, consular offices, and other facilities abroad, including all military facilities and naval vessels and stations.
Texas and other states have made similar orders:
A step-by-step guide to Dallas shootings
Five police officers have been killed and several officers and civilians have been injured after a man opened fire near a peaceful protest in Dallas. What exactly happened?
What we know about the police officers who were killed
Michael Krol, 40
Krol had been working for the Dallas police department since 2007. He was originally from the Detroit area.
Brent Thompson, 43
Thompson was working for the Dallas Area Rapid Transit organisation, starting in 2009. He had recently gotten married. He is first officer from DART to ever to be killed in the line of duty.
Patrick Zamarripa, 32
Zamarripa served multiple tours in Iraq and was the married father of a two-year old daughter. The Washington Post has written a profile of Zamarripa.
One police officer who was killed has not yet been identified.
The Dallas police shootings in pictures
For more images from the Dallas shootings: http://www.bbc.com/news/in-pictures-36746786
'The answer must not be violence' - Loretta Lynch
What we know about gunman Micah Xavier Johnson
Protesters, police posed together before shooting
The Dallas Police Department tweeted out photos of themselves peacefully standing along Black Lives Matter protesters before the shooting. Local media says that Black Lives Matter and the Dallas Police Department "have respect for each other" and that the protest was orderly before shots rang out.
Dallas police thank public for support after shootings
Summer intern captures iconic image from Dallas shooting
Slain officer identified as Patrick Zamarripa
A Facebook post from Rick Zamarripa says he is the father of Patrick Zamarripa, who was killed on Thursday in Dallas. He writes:
"Most of you already know this by now today in Dallas , my son is a police officer in Dallas he was working there the rally in downtown where my son was shot and killed by a sniper along with four other police officers maybe more at this moment I'm still at the hospital here in Parkland Hospital to see him be moved to the medical examiner's office , need prayers to get through this"
Other friends and relatives shared photos of Zamarripa on social media.
Tributes to injured Dallas officer Misty McBride
Social media tributes are pouring in for injured transit officer Misty McBride. She was shot in the arm and abdomen.
k104fm writes: Dart Officer Misty McBride Is One of The DART Officers Shot In The Upper Arm And Abdomen according to@Fox4news But is Expected to Survive.#PrayForDallasPd#PrayForDallas#k104family
Former Congressman: 'This is now war. Watch out Obama.'
Former Illinois Congressman Joe Walsh is facing a wave of criticism online after he threatened President Obama in a tweet. He has since deleted the tweet.
Killed transit officer identified
The Dallas transit officer who was killed on Thursday has been identified as Brent Thompson, 43.
"As you can imagine, our hearts are broken," the agency said in a statement. "This is something that touches every part of our organization. We have received countless expressions of support and sympathy from around the world through the evening. We are grateful for every message. Thank you."
Most of downtown Dallas still shut down
BreakingGunman identified as Micah Johnson
The alleged Dallas gunman has been identified as 25-year-old Micah Johnson, US media report.
According to the Los Angeles Times, Johnson did not have a criminal history. The BBC has confirmed that he told law enforcement he did not pledge allegiance to any groups.
Dallas begins to mourn after police ambush
dallasdoulas writes: The blue ribbons are going up in neighborhoods this morning in honor of those that lost their lives. #standstrongtogether#heavyheart#prayfordallas#alllivesmatter
alyssamniccoleI writes: stayed up watching the events in Dallas unfold last night and was in complete shock. Much love for this city. Praying for peace in #Dallas and for all the families of the officers affected by the tragic event.
Republican, Democrat leaders honour officers in House
House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi and House Speaker Paul Ryan both gave speeches in the House to honour the officers killed in Dallas.
'I saw a policeman next to me get shot'
Brendan Tyler Hester, a 21-year-old photographer and filmmaker from Dallas, went down to the rally with a couple of his friends. Soon after, shots rang out.
"Once the shots rang out everyone started running and when I turned around to see where my friends were I saw a policeman next to me get shot," he told the BBC.
"He dropped to the ground screaming. The police shouted at us to run so I did and ended up at the bottom of a parking lot. There was a shooter on the top of it so I could see all of the shots coming down onto where the police were. I could hear more shouting and screaming. I was trapped with three or four other guys and we were trapped in the line of fire so we just had to make a run for it. We made it out and there were police everywhere...
I think every police officer in Dallas was downtown tonight. We were told to go one way but then there was more shots there so we had to turn back. In the end I had to run around half the city to get out of harms way."
Family of black man killed by police denounces Dallas attack
The family of Alton Sterling, a black man whose death at the hands of police in Louisiana sparked the Dallas protest, has called the shootings "reprehensible", reports AP.
Earlier this month, video footage appeared to show two white police officers holding down and fatally shooting Mr Sterling, 37, in Baton Rouge.
Listen: US police chief says he has never worked with blatant racists
The World at One
BBC Radio 4
The president of the American Police Foundation said he has "never worked with cops with a blatant racial bias" in his 33 years in the Southern California police force.
Chief Jim Bueermann said "human beings have implicit biases" and training to deal with those biases needs to "be taken to scale in the United States and wrapped around the entire culture of policing".