Dallas mass shooting is the deadliest attack on law enforcement since 9/11 

  • Gunmen launched sniper attack shooting 12 police officers in Dallas, Texas
  • At least five law enforcement officials died in the 'ambush style' onslaught
  • It is the deadliest toll on US officers since 9/11 attack on Twin Towers

By Imogen Calderwood For Mailonline

Published: 06:16 EST, 8 July 2016 | Updated: 06:54 EST, 8 July 2016

The sniper attack on 12 police officers in downtown Dallas is the most lethal since the September 11, 2001, terrorist attack at the World Trade Center.

Four gunman shot the officers, killing at least five and injuring seven, in the 'ambush style' attack, as they manned a protest over the police killings of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile.

The co-ordinated assault saw gunmen open fire from 'elevated positions', picking off officers one by one as they stood helplessly below. Some of them were shot in the back.

While three were detained in custody, a fourth killed himself following a shoot-out with police. The gunman warned officers that bombs have been planted across downtown Dallas which police are now investigating.

Lethal: A total of 11 officers were shot in an 'ambush style' sniper attack in Dallas last night, after four gunmen opened fire during peaceful protests

Lethal: A total of 11 officers were shot in an 'ambush style' sniper attack in Dallas last night, after four gunmen opened fire during peaceful protests

Target: The co-ordinated assault saw gunmen open fire from 'elevated positions', picking off officers one by one as they stood helplessly below

Target: The co-ordinated assault saw gunmen open fire from 'elevated positions', picking off officers one by one as they stood helplessly below

The assault makes July 8 one of the deadliest days in US law enforcement history, with the worst death toll since 71 officers died on 9/11.

Other attacks include the shooting of four members of the Lakewood Police Department on November 29, 2009, which saw a lone gunman enter the coffee shop where they were sitting and opening fire.

On March 21, 2009, four members of the Oakland Police Department were shot and killed by the same gunman in two related incidents. Two were shot following a traffic stop in East Oakland, followed by two SWAT team members who were killed two hours later as they stormed the gunman's apartment. 

Another sniper attack saw five police officers killed over an eight-day period from December 31, 1972 to January 7, 1973 by a member of the radical group Black Panthers.    

Vulnerable: The assault makes July 8 one of the deadliest days in US law enforcement history - and the most lethal since the 9/11 attack on the World Trade Center

Vulnerable: The assault makes July 8 one of the deadliest days in US law enforcement history - and the most lethal since the 9/11 attack on the World Trade Center

Deadly: While three were detained in custody, a fourth is understood to have shot himself following a shoot-out with police. The remaining gunman warned officers that bombs have been planted across downtown Dallas

Deadly: While three were detained in custody, a fourth is understood to have shot himself following a shoot-out with police. The remaining gunman warned officers that bombs have been planted across downtown Dallas

Killing: Chilling footage of last night's incident showed a policeman attempting to tackle one of the men, before being gunned down and being shot again execution-style from point-black range

Killing: Chilling footage of last night's incident showed a policeman attempting to tackle one of the men, before being gunned down and being shot again execution-style from point-black range

Chilling footage of last night's incident showed a policeman attempting to tackle one of the men, before being gunned down and being shot again execution-style from point-black range.

Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings said: 'Our worst nightmare has happened. It is a heartbreaking moment for the city of Dallas.'

The shooting started at 8.45pm as hundreds of protesters marched through Dallas demanding justice for Alton Sterling and Philando Castile who were shot dead by police earlier this week.

Footage of the attack shows peaceful protesters chanting 'hands up, don't shoot' before suddenly scattering as shots were fired near Belo Garden Park.

'OUR WORST NIGHTMARE HAS HAPPENED': DALLAS SHOOTING JOINS THE LIST OF DEADLIEST ATTACKS ON LAW ENFORCEMENT IN US HISTORY

November 29, 2009

Four members of the Lakewood Police Department were shot and killed in an ambush attack as they sat in a coffee shop catching up on paperwork. A lone gunman walked in and opened fire.

March 21, 2009

Four members of the Oakland Police Department were shot and killed by the same gunman in two related incidents. Two were shot following a traffic stop in East Oakland. Two hours later, two SWAT team members were killed after they traced the gunman to an apartment building just a few blocks from the original shooting scene.

September 11, 2001

A total of 72 officers were killed on the deadliest day in US law enforcement history, following the attacks on the World Trade Center. The 37 members of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Police Departments who died represents the single largest loss of law enforcement life in a single agency in US history.

December 31, 1972 – January 7, 1973

Over this eight-day period, five law enforcement officers in New Orleans were shot and killed by a sniper who was a member of the radical group, Black Panthers. The suspect was eventually shot and killed by police, using a Marine helicopter.

October 30, 1950

Eight members of the Puerto Rico Police Department were shot and killed during a political revolt led by the Nationalist Party, which was attempting to overthrow US presence on the island. Dozens of individuals died in the uprising, including the eight law enforcement officials.

January 2, 1932

In what became known as the Young Brothers Massacre, six Missouri lawmen were killed as they attempted to apprehend two suspects wanted in the murder of Greene County Marshal Mark Now. The group surrounded the Young family's farm, but were fired upon and six died in the ensuing shootout.

April 6, 1902

Six police officers were shot and killed by a suspect resisting arrest for a fraud offence in Colbert County. After telling the sheriff he would be ready to go in a moment, the suspect returned with a rifle and opened fire, sparking a shootout. 

December 15, 1890

Six officers with the United States Bureau of Indian Affairs died after attempting to arrest Sitting Bull, the leader of the Sioux Indian tribe in South Dakota. The officers were travelling back to their headquarters after making the arrest when they were attacked by a group led by the chief’s son. The chief and his son also died in the attack.

May 1, 1885

Four members of the US Marshals Service were shot and killed when they were ambushed while attempting to arrest several horse thieves in Oklahoma.

March 14, 1873

Four state police officers were killed in a Texas saloon shoot-out while attempting to enforce a law prohibiting the wearing of side arms.

April 15, 1872

Eight Deputy U.S. Marshals were shot and killed in what came to be known as the Going Snake Massacre, in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. They were set upon as they entered a court building but a group of men who were waiting inside.

January 23, 1857

Four law enforcement officials were shot and killed while attempting to arrest members of the notorious Flores-Daniels Gang in Los Angeles. The gang ambushed the officers, killing them. Eventually, 52 members of the gang were arrested and 18 were hung for the murders.

Source: National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund

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