The Army confirmed Friday that the Dallas shooting suspect killed in a standoff with police was a veteran. Micah X. Johnson, a 25-year-old living outside of Dallas, had served in the U.S. Army Reserve as a junior enlisted soldier and completed a tour in Afghanistan, The Associated Press reported. He was a "carpentry and masonry specialist," CNN reported, and though he likely got basic training on firearms it is "unclear whether he received more advanced training."
Before police used explosives to "blast him out," Johnson told police that he was "upset" about Black Lives Matter and the "recent police shootings," and that he "wanted to kill white people, especially white officers." He told authorities that he had acted alone and was not "affiliated with any groups," Dallas Police Chief David Brown said Friday.
Article continues belowThe Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.