Were live from dallas with all the latest on the investigation. Nightly news begins right now. Tragedy in dallas. This is nbc nightly news with lester holt. Reporting tonight from dallas. Good evening. Tonight police say the shots that turned the streets behind me into a killing zone, taking the lives of 15 Police Officers 5 Police Officers, wounding 7 others and 2 civil juans came from one man operating alone with a grudge against police and white people. Tonight the nation shares dallas anxiety and shock over how a peaceful protest of Police Shootings of black men turned into an ambush of Police Officers here in texas. As marchers ran in fear from the shots, police took cover and desperately tried to neutralize the attacker. Tonight weve learned the killer is a black army veteran of the war in afghanistan. Nbcs Gabe Gutierrez has details. Go, go, go ambush was wellplanned, wellthoughtout and evil, police say. Hundreds of protesters caught in the cro crossfire, while officer were targeted in cold blood. I didnt see anybody else get shot. It was just the cops. Reporter tonight the gunman is identified as 25yearold Micah Johnson. Law enforcement sources tell nbc news johnson was wearing body armor during the shooting. And station kxas reports he was laughing and singing during his hourslong standoff with police. The suspect said he was upset at white people. The suspect stated he wanted to kill white people, especially white officers. Reporter the march began just after 7 00 following this weeks high profile Police Shootings in louisiana and minnesota. Starting in belo garden park near main street, the first hour largely peaceful. Officers along the route not wearing riot gear, even posing for pictures with [000 02 58;00] chaos caught ducking for cover. Shots fired. Officer down. Its an assist officer. Reporter panic in downtown dallas. Just started to run and grab kids and help their mothers get to somewhere safe. We didnt want anyone else to get hurt. Reporter Community Activist jeff hood had organized the protest. Every 25 feet, and thats when i heard it. Pop, pop, bah, bah. Thats when i looked up and i saw what i believe were two Police Officers drop. Reporter at 9 41 police cheer out the bank of america building, the citys tallest skyscraper. One by one the horrifying death toll rises as it appears that two snipers shot officers from elevated positions during the rally. I heard the first shot, but like him, i didnt realize it was a shot. And the crowd, there was screaming and pandemonium. Reporter according to a Law Enforcement source, at some poi gunfire. Officers following his blood trail. After 11 00, s. W. A. T. Teams cornering johnson in a parking garage, the negotiation going well past midnight until they have no other option than to send in an explosive device sent in by robot and detonate it near the suspect. Eight hours after the rally started, the standoff is over, the gunman dead. Police say at least three people were detained and questioned, but late today dallas mayor said he believes johnson was the lone gunman. Police say i cant believe whats going on. Reporter tonight this man is grateful he survived and credits a Police Officer with saving his life. I just wanted to get out of there. For a split second, it seemed like i wasnt going to be able to get out of there. Thats how bad he was shooting. Reporter Authorities Say johnson used a handgun and a rifle during the shooting. Late today authorities said that there are no longer any suspects or persons of interest in custody, but lester, this investigation is still ongoing. Many streetse theyll remain that way until next wednesday. We saw marchers here even just a little while ago still looking to get in and get their belongings and their cars, but again all this shut down. Thank you. More about the Police Officers killed in the horrific ambush here. Joe fryer has more on the five fallen officers and the nine others injured in the attack including two bystanders like a mother who reportedly shielded her sons from the gunfire. Reporter a poignant memorial outside the Dallas Police department is just starting to take shape as stories of the five fallen officers begin to emerge. Brent thompson was a seven year veteran of the d. A. R. T. Police force who got married to a fellow officer just two weeks ago. Thats one of the tough things. The loss of a great officer, the loss of a husband after being married only two weeks. Reporter the four other victims served the Dallas Police department including patrick zamarripa, a navy veteran who survived three tours in iraq. He, too, w and leaves behind a 2yearold girl, lincoln. Ben rogers was his friend. This Police Officer, it doesnt get any better than this. This is pure goodness. I mean, hes just a guy who wants to serve and protect during the day and then go watch a ball game with his family at night. Reporter another victim, officer michael krol became a cop so he could help people. Wanted to make things right. Was really committed. You know. That is probably the most frustrating thing for him, he couldnt solve it all. Reporter seven more officers were injured including misty mcbride who was shot in the arm and abdomen. Her daughter is grateful. She can live on for tomorrow, and im just glad that shes alive really. Reporter two citizens were also hit by gunfire. Shetami arkts taylor was hit after reportedly shielding her boys from the bullets. The tragedy a devastating blow for the city where some feel the relationship since 2010 Excessive Force complaints have dropped by 83 . Now theyre mourning the loss of five officers who protected their city to the end. We dont feel much support most days. Lets not make today most days. Please. We need your support. Reporter of the seven officers who were injured in this attack, Officials Say most have been treated and released from the hospital. Lest lester, this is the deadliest day for u. S. Law enforcement since 9 11. Joe fryer, thank you. Late details are emerging about the lone suspect, a 25yearold black army veteran who lived outside of dallas. Police searched his house today carrying out bags of evidence. Nbcs jacob rascon is also at the home. Reporter they spent nearly three hours inside the gunmans home. Dallas police detectiv agents emerging with bags of evidence. Bombmaking materials, ballistic vests, rifles, ammunition and a journal of combat tactics. A neighbor, who didnt want to be identified, telling us Micah Johnson didnt hide his arsenal. How did you know he had a lot of guns . He told us. I know he was part of the army or sergeant or something. I know hes military or something. Reporter the gunman worked as an aide for mentally challenged kids and adults. He and his mother lived together in this twostory home for many years, neighbors say. All just 20 minutes from the ambush. Military records confirm johnson was an Army Reservist for six years, serving two tours in afghanistan, the recipient of various military medals and ribbons. A neighbor says he would see johnson practicing drills on obstacle courses he built in his backyard, armed with firearms, wearing his army uniform. This man, who came out of the gunmans home, questions. What was your reaction when you found out what happened . Excuse me. Reporter tonight, johnsons aunt telling nbc news she believes recent officerinvolved shootings of black men drove him to go on this rampage. Tonight the governor of texas says that, although investigators believe that johnson was a lone gunman, they want to be confident there werent any coconspirators or anybody else who knew about the attacks. That investigation is ongoing. Lester . All right, jacob rascon, thank you. With the country on edge over the dallas killings, Police Departments in several cities are taking extra precautions for the safety of their officers tonight. There have been at least three other incidents in which Police Officers were shot. We get more tonight from cynthia mcfadden. Reporter tonight, a nation united in pain but divided, too, as people gather around the country rallying against continues. This morning in georgia, a Police Officer ambushed and shot responding to a 9 11 call. In ballwin, missouri, an officer shot during a traffic stop. Yesterday afternoon in tennessee, Authorities Say a gunman upset about Police Violence against africanamericans killed one woman and shot three others including a Police Officer. The new york tabloids highlights the countrys division. Madness, civil war. In washington congressman john lewis pleaded for unity. We must learn to live together as brothers and sisters. If not, we will perish as fools. Reporter then what words could not accomplish a moment of silence in congress. Tonight, Police Departments around the country on heightened alert. Officers ordered to double up before going out in many cities including philadelphia, boston, seattle and chicago. The alwaysdelicate balance between protecting the community and highlighted by last nights shooting. Even as bullets were hailing down, the officers in dallas went to the defense and the protection of the protesters. Reporter in new york, a somber mayor bill de blasio tried to quiet the jangled nerves of usually stoic new yorkers. In los angeles Rapper Snoop Dogg at a peaceful march outside the graduation for the latest class of l. A. Police recruits, seeking, he says, to encourage dialogue between the black community and police. John legend weighing in on social media. Being against cops killing is not equal to being for killing cops. Unity, yes, but division, too. Instagram is packed with images. Is his life worth more than mine . His life matters. His life matters. A woman in washington summing up the feelings of many. I dont want black men shot at traffic stops. I dont want cops shot by snipers. I dont want kids shot at school. I dont want any of this. A nation in mourning with serious work to do. Cynthia mcfadden, nbc news, new york. President obama today responded to the massacre here during his trip to poland for the nato summit. And both Hillary Clinton and donald trump canceled Campaign Events today, this as calls were renewed for more gun control. Nbcs Andrea Mitchell has more on the political reaction. Reporter president obama, an ocean away, once again responding to a crisis back home. Id ask all americans to say a prayer for these officers and their families. Reporter and last night, before dallas, his first comments about the two africanamerican men killed by police this week. This is not just a black issue. Its not just a hispanic issue. This is an american issue. Reporter not breaking away from his trip yet, although he still may. Even as the nation is gripped by the horror halting president ial politics, at least for today. Hillary clintons first planned rally with Vice President joe biden in scranton canceled, trumps rally in miami also canceled. Trump tweeting prayers and condolences to all of the families who are so thoroughly devastated by the horrors were watching take place in our country. Clinton did keep a commitment to an Episcopal Church conference in philadelphia. And she told lester i want white people to understand how africanamericans feel every day. I want people to put themselves in the shoes of Police Officers and their families. Reporter at the capitol, a moment of silence, an emotional speaker ryan. I know to be a cops wife or a cops husband is to prepare for the worse. But who could fathom such horror as this . Reporter but Republican Leaders still blocking action on guns. We have too many guns. Reporter while in cleveland, tighter security for the Republican National convention in a city already preparing for the worst. Police, politicians and pastors all reflecting on how to respond to a heartsick nation. Andrea mitchell, nbc news, philadelphia. Still ahead tonight, how police used a robot to take out the suspect. A method apparently never before used on u. S. Soil to deliver deadly force. Deadly force. And my results ended up beinge african, european and asian. 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Its a tactic straight from americas wars in iraq and afghanistan. As nbcs tom costello reports, it appears to be the first time that police have used a robot bomb on u. S. Soil. Reporter with five officers dead, 14 people injured and unable to get a clean shot, Dallas Police turned to overseas battlefield tactics to take out the gunman using a robot to deliver then detonate an explosive. Other options would have exposed our officers to great danger. Reporter inen have come to rely on robots, sent in with cameras to locate a gunman, to inspect suspicious bags, even detonate explosives. Now for the first time delivery and detonating a bomb. Scott reese spent 30 years with the lapd, 10 years on s. W. A. T. I think its very unusual, i think it was very own vative. And i think they made the correct decision. Reporter but delivering a bomb was not in the original intent. Robots have been around for decades, but the battles in iraq and afghanistan necessitated a far more robust and capable product. Now bomb squads and Police Departments around the country are using this Technology Every day. Outside of washington, the Montgomery County maryland bomb squad has a small fleet of remotely operated robots. This is our largest robot, basically a frontend loader. Reporter from very big to very small, equipped with cameras, microphones, climbing tracks, claws, whatever is needed. E we can pick up a small beaker of unstable chemicals, lets say, or pick up a big box or open a car door. Reporter and in dallas, to take out a cop killer. The question for s. W. A. T. Teams nationwide tonight is whether dallas marks a watershed moment in police tactics. Tom costello, nbc news, washington. Were back in a moment with a father and son who attended last nights protests only to become eyewitnesses to horror. [000 19 27;00] im phil mickelson, pro golfer. T pain. 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As we have been reporting, the ambush here last night took place during a peaceful protest over this weeks Police Shootings of black men in minnesota and louisi last nights march here was kellen nixon who brought along his son. We had a good chat about what unfolded around them last night. What made you come down last night . I wanted to show my support for alton sterling, for mr. Castile. I wanted to be a part of the movement. I wanted to teach my son that we have rights in this country and we can express our frist rags in a positive way. What did you think when you heard the shots . Why . I thought, we just made a grave mistake. We set the american rights back many years, human race back many years by allowing this to happen. Are you afraid with what happens from now on . Im not afraid at all. Im cautious. Im prepared. Im preparing. But im not afraid. Being afraid only causes the person to act irrationally. Thats the biggest problems between africanic one another so we act irrationally. Whats the message for police . Love their families, first of all. Make sure their family knows they love them every day before they leave the house. Whats the message i dont want them to take is to be afraid of africanamerican men. I dont want them to think we dont want them to do their job as long as theyre doing their job within the confines of the law. I take it you dont want your son to be afraid of police . Not at all. I dont want him to be afraid of any man. Elijah is only 5, but one day youll talk about this moment. How will you describe it . To go from peace, from joy, to being inspired to turn to horror in the way that it did, life is fragile. You just never know. My conversation with kellen nixon earlier on today. When i come back, well have more on where we are as a nation. In a world held back by compromise, businesses need the agility to do one thing another. Only at t has the network, people, and partners to help companies be. Local global. Open secure. And my results ended up beinge african, european and asian. It was great because it confirmed what i knew in my gut with a little surprise. Ancestry helped give me a sense of identity. Folks out there whose diabetic nerve pain. Shoots and burns its way into your day, i hear you. To everyone with this pain that makes ordinary tasks extraordinarily painful, i hear you. Make sure your doctor hears you too i hear you because i was there when my dad suffered with diabetic nerve pain. If you have diabetes and burning, shooting pain in your feet or hands, dont suffer in silence step on up and ask your doctor about diabetic nerve pain. Tell em cedric sent you. Finally tonight, we have backtoback graphic cell phone videos wednesday and then thursday of controversial shootings of black men by police that have left a segment of this country ope of their very lives. And then late yesterday, the horror here in dallas. The hateful attack by a young black man against Police Officers ironically as they enforced one of our basic rights, the right to have a peaceful protest. The nation takes a step back to find meanings in all of this. One thing is for sure, everyone who stepped on the street last night whether they carried a sign or carried a badge had the expectation and certainly the right to safely return back to their families once the march was over. Those whose lives were suddenly and violently taken in those two days have left their indelible marks on our long journey to reconcile our differences, to reconcile race. Maybe were not there yet, but maybe we can agree that too many tears have fallen for us to stop trying. Some of you will be leaving us now. For others another half hour of nightly news is just ahead. Im lester holt. For all of us at nb and good night. This is nbc nightly news with lester holt. Reporting tonight from dallas. Good evening. Were back with more of our continuing coverage of the deadly ambush on Police Officers here in dallas. Five officers were killed, nine others jured by sniper fire during a protest over the killings of black men by police. Late today authorities said they believe this was the act of a lone gunman, 25yearold micah xavier johnson, a black army veteran who lived just outside dallas. Police say he told them he was out to kill white officers. They cornered him in a