Dallas shooting: What we know about the 5 police officers killed

A gunman opened fire on police officers in Dallas Thursday night, killing five and wounding seven others during a protest over the recent fatal police shootings of two black men in the United States.

The bloodshed marked the deadliest day for law enforcement in the United States since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks of 2001.

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

VIDEO GALLERY: Five police officers killed in Dallas 

1:06 Dallas police chief praises the bravery of his officers following deadly shooting

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READ MORE: Suspect in sniper attack who killed 5 Dallas cops ‘wanted to kill white people’

Of the five officers, four were with the Dallas Police Department and one was with the Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) police.

Brent Thompson

Brent Thompson, 43, has been identified as one of the officers killed by a gunman in what police described as an ambush-style attack in Dallas’ downtown area.

He was the first person killed in the line of duty in the 27-year history of the Dallas Area Rapid Transit authority, according to a statement from DART.

“As you can imagine, our hearts are broken,” the transit authority said in a statement. “This is something that touches every part of our organization. We have received countless expressions of support and sympathy from around the world through the evening. We are grateful for every message.”

DART Chief James Spiller told TODAY that Thompson was on patrol duty when he was killed and was married in the last two weeks.

“This is very heartbreaking for us,” Spiller said. “We will definitely miss him, and we are also making sure that his family is taken care of.”

DART said that three officers — Omar Cannon, 44, Misty McBride, 32, and Jesus Retana 39 — were shot during the protest but are expected to recover from their injuries.

Patrick Zamarripa

Dallas Police Officer Patrick Zamarripa has been identified as the second officer killed in the Dallas shooting, according to media reports and family members posting on social media.

“Everyone say a prayer for my stepbrother, Patrick, and his family. He was one of the young Dallas police officers killed this evening,” Dylan Martinez, Zamarripa’s stepbrother who is also a police officer, wrote on Twitter.

Zamarripa describes himself on Twitter as a father, sports fan, and proud Texan, and “addicted to the thrill of this job.”

“Most of you already know this by now today in Dallas, my son is a police officer in Dallas he was working there the rally in downtown where my son was shot and killed by a sniper along with four other police officers maybe more at this moment I’m still at the hospital here in Parkland Hospital to see him be moved to the medical examiner’s office, need prayers to get through this,” Rick Zamarripa wrote on Facebook.

His father Rick Zamarripa confirmed in a Facebook post that his son was fatally shot by a sniper.

Michael Krol

Michael Krol has also been identified as one of the fallen officers.

A native of Michigan, Krol moved to Dallas in 2007 to join the city’s police department.

“He always wanted to be a cop,” Brian Schoenbaechler, Krol’s brother-in-law, told The Detroit News. “He always wanted to help and serve other people.”

Susan Ehlke, Krol’s mother told local TV station WXYZ that her son was a very “caring person.”

“He was living a dream of being a police officer,” she said. “(He) Just turned 40 in April. He knew the danger of the job but he never shied away from his duty as a police officer.”

Lorne Ahrens

Senior Cpl. Lorne Ahrens, 48, has been identified by friends and family on social media as one of the Dallas police victims.

A reporter for an ABC-affiliate television station in the Dallas–Fort Worth Tweeted “RIP, my friend” along with a picture of Ahrens.

Ahrens served 14 years on the Dallas Police Department, according to the Dallas Morning News.

Michael Smith

WFAA identified Michael Smith, 55, as one of the victims.