Father of man linked to shooting says son was angry

[Lite Beer]

Latest: Father of man linked to shooting says son was angry

DALLAS (AP) — The father of a man linked by authorities to an attack on Dallas police headquarters says his son had strong feelings against law enforcement.

Police said the suspect in the attack identified himself to them as James Boulware. The suspect was later shot and killed in his van by a police sniper. Authorities are not officially identifying the suspect pending a medical examination of the body.

The man's father, also named James, said Boulware spent several hours at the father's home in Carrolton, a Dallas suburb, a day before the shooting and talked about how well his recently-purchased van drove.

He also discussed a widely-publicized video of a police officer in McKinney, Texas pushing a black teenager to the ground and brandishing his gun at other teenagers. Boulware was angry after he lost custody of his son, now 12 or 13 years old, the father said.

The father said he last spoke with Boulware by telephone about three hours before Dallas police said the shooting began.

"Not being able to get a job and the legal system letting him down, (he) finally snapped," the elder James Boulware said in a telephone interview. "But I can't say shooting at a police station is right in any way."

Police arrived at the father's home later on Saturday as an Associated Press video journalist was there, and were questioning the elder Boulware. The telephone interview was conducted before police arrived.

___

1:45 p.m. (CDT)

The van where a suspect in the Dallas police headquarters shooting was found dead has caught fire and ammunition rounds are going off inside the vehicle.

Dallas police say in a Twitter post that the fire erupted when they used robots to clear the van of weapons such as pipe bombs.

Earlier, the suspect was confirmed dead in the van after a police sniper shot him. Police have not identified him for sure, although the suspect told police before he died that his name was James Boulware.

No one else was killed or injured in the attack, which left the police headquarters riddled with bullets.

___

1:10 p.m. (CDT)

Police have confirmed the death of a man suspected of opening fire on police headquarters in Dallas.

Police spokesman Maj. Max Geron confirmed the suspect's death on the department's Twitter feed Saturday.

Police earlier Saturday said the suspect had identified himself as James Boulware and said he blamed police for losing custody of his son and "accusing him of being a terrorist."

However, police say the suspect may not have given his real name and they haven't publicly confirmed the man's identity.

Authorities say the suspect opened fire on Dallas' police headquarters and engaged in a shootout with officers before fleeing in his van. Police surrounded it in a parking lot in nearby Hutchins, where a police sniper later shot him.

___

12:05 p.m. (CDT)

Authorities have found at least two additional pipe bombs in a vehicle used by the suspect in the Dallas police headquarters shooting.

Police spokesman Maj. Max Geron confirmed the discovery on the Dallas police department's Twitter account.

Authorities are using a camera equipped robot to check whether the suspect is dead in his van.

Dallas Police Chief David Brown earlier said the suspect had identified himself as James Boulware and told police that he blamed them for losing custody of his son. But police said investigators were still trying to confirm his identity, pointing out that the suspect could have been lying to them.

___

11:25 a.m. (CDT)

Authorities are using a camera-equipped robot to check whether the suspect in an early-morning attack on Dallas police headquarters is dead in his van.

Police spokesman Maj. Max Geron said on the Dallas department's Twitter account Saturday that it is likely the suspect is dead, but that it can't be confirmed until officers can move in.

Police Chief David Brown said a police sniper shot the suspect shortly after 5 a.m. while he was holed up in his van in a parking lot in the suburb of Hutchins. He said officers hadn't heard from the man for several hours since.

Brown says the suspect opened fire on Dallas police headquarters at around 12:30 a.m. and shot several squad cars before taking off in the van. Nobody was hurt or killed except for the suspect.

(An earlier version of this story erroneously reported that police had confirmed the death of the suspect. While police believe the suspect in the attack on Dallas police headquarters is dead, they haven't confirmed that yet.)

___

10:20 a.m. (CDT)

People are being allowed to return to their homes near Dallas police headquarters following an early-morning attack that eventually ended with the suspect being shot.

Public transportation also resumed in the area near where gunfire before dawn Saturday left parts of police headquarters riddled with bullets.

Chief David Brown says a police sniper shot the suspect who was parked in a van outside a fast-food restaurant in Hutchins, about 10 miles south of Dallas. Police hours later were still trying to determine if the suspect died in the gunfire and whether his armored-type vehicle was rigged to explode.

No officers or civilians were hurt.

A statement from the American Red Cross says evacuated residents were being allowed to return home around 10 a.m. CDT Saturday.

___

8:45 a.m. (CDT)

Dallas' police chief says a sniper has shot the suspect in an overnight attack on police headquarters and that the department is checking to see if he's still alive.

Police Chief David Brown says an officer shot the suspect Saturday morning while the suspect was holed up in a van in a parking lot in the Dallas suburb of Hutchins. He says the man told police he had explosives in the van.

Brown says investigators believe the man acted alone in the early-morning attack on Dallas police headquarters, despite early witness reports that others may have taken part. Police recovered two explosive devices near the building.

Brown says the man identified himself as James Boulware and said he blamed police for losing custody of his son and "accusing him of being a terrorist."

___

7:10 a.m. (CDT)

Dallas officers shut down streets near police headquarters following gunfire targeting the multilevel building in a former warehouse district known for apartments, live music venues and restaurants.

No officers were hurt around 12:30 a.m. Saturday as one or possibly more people in an armored-style van began shooting at police headquarters, located in the southern part of Dallas. Some patrol cars had bullet holes in their windshields.

A standoff with the male suspect continued in the parking lot of a fast-food restaurant along Interstate 45 in Hutchins, just south of Dallas. Police negotiators were trying to get the man to surrender.

Dallas Area Rapid Transit suspended light rail service in the area at the request of police. Rail and also bus service was halted to the neighborhood including the Dallas Convention Center. Traffic was being diverted from a section of I-45 closed down amid the standoff.

Several tactical officers were seen walking outside police headquarters as dawn broke Saturday. Patrol cars with flashing lights remained on eerily empty streets that were closed amid the investigation.

___

6:50 a.m. (CDT)

Police say conflicting witness accounts make it difficult to immediately determine how many shooters were involved when gunshots were fired at officers outside Dallas Police headquarters.

Dallas Police Chief David Brown says one man fled the scene being and chased by police in what witnesses described as an armored van.

Police said conflicting witness accounts made it difficult to immediately determine a motive.

Brown said during a news conference that the shootout began about 12:30 a.m. Saturday, when the suspects parked in front of the building located south of downtown and began firing. He said at least one of the suspects fled the scene in a van that rammed a police cruiser before leading police on a chase that ended in an ongoing standoff at parking lot in the nearby suburb of Hutchins, where additional gunfire was exchanged.

Brown said the suspect driving the van has told officers that he blames police for losing custody of his son and "accusing him of being a terrorist." The gunman also said he had explosives in the van, which appeared to be outfitted with gun ports in the sides.

Brown said negotiations with that suspect and the SWAT unit are ongoing. No injuries were reported.

-- (c) Associated Press 2015-06-14

[Suradit69]

"Not being able to get a job and the legal system letting him down, (he) finally snapped,"

Luckily the legal system and the NRA ensured he would have no problem obtaining a gun to deal with it all in a responsible way.

[Somtamnication]

Many Americans are pissed off. This won't be the last time.

[little mary sunshine]

REALLY, Dad, You think He was angry??? Ass Hole!!!

[movsrus]

America is undergoing a very distressing time. The disruption in our society is a function of many things (race, class, wealth, education,etc) and the political leaders have only become more corrupt as big money has changed America from a democracy to a kleptocracy. The Middle Class has been decimated by loss of jobs due to NAFTA as well as the introduction of technology which has taken many of the good blue collar jobs. The people that held those jobs have by and large been kicked to the side of the road and allowed to fester.

While I don't support what James Boulware did it is not surprising that kind of behavior is becoming more prevalent in the US. There are large parts of the US- white, black and brown- that have been marginalized and feel they have no part in "the American Dream". As people lose more they begin to feel they have less to gain by being part of the society and the arguments from the lunatic fringe become more viable.

Look at the number of incidents in which people are abused by the police forces in the US. It happens to all races- not just blacks. As the police force loses the support of the people it becomes a force for military occupation. Look at the participation rate for workers in the US then compare that to the official statistics which purportedly show that unemployment is decreasing. If that were true then why are public welfare payments higher now that at any time in our history? The chronically unemployed are not all like the stereotype of people sitting on their ass waiting for a government check.

America is in a profound state of confusion now and unless its leaders wake up and begin to address the problems rather than stick their heads in the sand things will only get worse. It is sad to say but America is circling the drain now and none of the political candidates who are vying for the chance to be the next president have any understanding of just how bad things are now.

But, as Dennis Miller used to say, that is just my opinion and I may be wrong.

[Nemesis7]

H boy if this was done by any American with Arab origin I bet the comments box would be filled with dirty and mean comments

[Chicog]

H boy if this was done by any American with Arab origin I bet the comments box would be filled with dirty and mean comments

I bet Fox were salivating at the prospect.

Sadly it's a white man. Oh what a shame, they had all the fake indignation tanks full to the brim as well.

[Basil B]

Just snapped... and just happened to have a few bombs lying around...

Making feeble excuses for his son that do not wash.

[CMNightRider]

"Not being able to get a job and the legal system letting him down, (he) finally snapped,"

Luckily the legal system and the NRA ensured he would have no problem obtaining a gun to deal with it all in a responsible way.

What?? Not the NRA again, lol.

[Dogbreath]

"Not being able to get a job and the legal system letting him down, (he) finally snapped,"

Luckily the legal system and the NRA ensured he would have no problem obtaining a gun to deal with it all in a responsible way.

Irresponsible post at best. The NRA has nothing to do with the outlaws obtaining guns through theft and the underground black market. Nor does the legal system prevent hoodlums from acquiring guns for nefarious purposes. How many of the guns used to commit crimes are legally purchased ? Virtually none. Yet dupes like yourself would disarm law abiding citizens and take away their right to self defense just so you could feel virtuous. When you can guarantee my safety from violent criminals, maybe we can have a conversation; until then, bugger off.

[dutchisaan]

"Not being able to get a job and the legal system letting him down, (he) finally snapped,"

Luckily the legal system and the NRA ensured he would have no problem obtaining a gun to deal with it all in a responsible way.

Irresponsible post at best. The NRA has nothing to do with the outlaws obtaining guns through theft and the underground black market. Nor does the legal system prevent hoodlums from acquiring guns for nefarious purposes. How many of the guns used to commit crimes are legally purchased ? Virtually none. Yet dupes like yourself would disarm law abiding citizens and take away their right to self defense just so you could feel virtuous. When you can guarantee my safety from violent criminals, maybe we can have a conversation; until then, bugger off.

I hope you will say the same to the lady with her gun in her purse, I mean the one with the 3 year old!

[mochafan]

Just snapped... and just happened to have a few bombs lying around...

Making feeble excuses for his son that do not wash.

he totally snapped. The father was not making excuses.

[Dogbreath]

"Not being able to get a job and the legal system letting him down, (he) finally snapped,"

Luckily the legal system and the NRA ensured he would have no problem obtaining a gun to deal with it all in a responsible way.

Irresponsible post at best. The NRA has nothing to do with the outlaws obtaining guns through theft and the underground black market. Nor does the legal system prevent hoodlums from acquiring guns for nefarious purposes. How many of the guns used to commit crimes are legally purchased ? Virtually none. Yet dupes like yourself would disarm law abiding citizens and take away their right to self defense just so you could feel virtuous. When you can guarantee my safety from violent criminals, maybe we can have a conversation; until then, bugger off.

I hope you will say the same to the lady with her gun in her purse, I mean the one with the 3 year old!

You are confusing stupidity and negligence with outright criminality. The owner of a gun is responsible for the safety of herself and others concerning that firearm.. Clearly she was not and paid an awful price.

[ABCer]

movsrus <quote>

" America is in a profound state of confusion now and unless its leaders wake up and begin to address the problems rather than stick their heads in the sand things will only get worse. It is sad to say but America is circling the drain now and none of the political candidates who are vying for the chance to be the next president have any understanding of just how bad things are now."

I am an optimist. I am sure that H. Clinton will solve all your problems by addressing the Confederate flag issue...