Someone in possession of an armored van opened fire at Dallas Police headquarters, damaging windows and hitting squad cars after midnight last night. Police returned fire and the van then drove off, ramming several cars along the way. Several pipe bombs were also found around the headquarters as well, one of which exploded. Dallas SWAT disabled the van with a .50 cal. rifle. As of 7:00AM EDT, the standoff continues in the suburb of Hutchins near the junction of I-20 and I-45, where there was apparently another gunfight . . .
The Dallas Morning News reports that police have identified one suspect as a man named James Boulware, and that “Boulware, 50…has a history of family violence and blames authorities for his losing custody of his son.”
On the attack itself, CNN reports:
Attackers opened fire on Dallas police headquarters early Saturday, then an armored van parked in front of the building drove off and rammed a squad car, authorities said.
Police returned fire, and the van fled with the suspects.
After the attack, police found suspicious bags near the headquarters. At least one contained explosives, prompting evacuations from areas around the police headquarters.
As an explosives robot approached one of them, it blew up, Maj. Max Geron tweeted. No one was injured.
Authorities believe up to four people may have opened fire from various locations with automatic weapons, including from the van, said Police Chief David Brown.
“There might be up to four suspects,” Brown said.
Witnesses told police about the nature of the vehicle and the weapons used….
Police gave chase as one or more suspects jumped into the van, but one appeared not to make it on board on time, Brown said. It’s unclear whether that suspect was arrested.
The New York Post reports that the van contained additional explosives, and the vehicle itself appeared to be outfitted with gun ports in the sides.