Gunman in Dallas Police Headquarters Shooting Dies

He had opened fired on police overnight.

ByABC News
June 13, 2015, 6:58 PM

— -- The driver of an armored van who opened fire on Dallas police officers outside the department's headquarters has died.

Dallas police said the driver had been shot by a police sniper about 5 a.m. Saturday while engaged in a standoff with officers at a fast food restaurant in Hutchins, a Dallas suburb.

Police said the suspect identified himself as James Boulware, but they could not confirm the identity.

When ABC News reached Boulware's mother, she said she was "so glad none of the police were hurt," but declined further comment on the situation.

Dallas police Chief David Brown said that during negotiations the suspect made reference to a custody dispute in which he was involved.

"The suspect has told our negotiators that we took his child, accused him of being a terrorist, and that he's going to 'blow us up,'" Brown said.

Police said they would be unable to positively identify the suspect until a medical examination was completed.

The incident began when the driver opened fire at officers about 12:30 a.m. According to investigators, witnesses initially said there could have been as many as four gunmen, but police later said they believe a lone shooter fired from various locations.

A photo tweeted by the Dallas Police Department on June 13, 2015, shows the damage sustained by Dallas Police Department Headquarters, following an incident in which a gunman fired upon the building. (Dallas Police Department/Twitter)
A photo tweeted by the Dallas Police Department on June 13, 2015, shows the damage sustained by Dallas Police Department Headquarters, following an incident in which a gunman fired upon the building. (Dallas Police Department/Twitter)

"We believe this suspect meant to kill officers," Dallas Police Chief David Brown said at an news conference. "We barely survived the intent of this suspect."

#Breaking How officer survived truly a miracle! Bullet through door-seatblt-frontseat-backseat #DallasPDShooting pic.twitter.com/Cf6KEmdTCe

— Maj. Max Geron (@MaxDPD) June 13, 2015

Police then chased the van to a fast food restaurant down Interstate 45, where a standoff ensued as officers and the driver exchanged gunfire.

The driver told officers he blames police for losing custody of his son and "accusing him of being a terrorist," said Brown.

This photo tweeted by the Dallas Police Department on June 13, 2015, shows where the Explosive Ordinance Robot attempted to move one of the bags believed to contain explosives.
This photo tweeted by the Dallas Police Department on June 13, 2015, shows where the Explosive Ordinance Robot attempted to move one of the bags believed to contain explosives. A gunman fired upon Dallas Police Department Headquarters, leading to a police chase and a standoff.(Dallas Police Department/Twitter)

No officers were injured in the shootings.

Police also found four bags -- including at least one that contained pipe bombs -- around the department's headquarters. Bomb squad technicians detonated the explosives. When police detonated the van, it caught fire and police said rounds could be heard going off inside. Police also found two pipe bombs inside the van.

Brown said all seven patrol stations were searched and cleared of any explosives.

FBI updates they will relieve DPD as necessary at scene. Also DPD coordinating with Mesquite Bomb squad at suspects last known residence.

— Dallas Police Depart (@DallasPD) June 13, 2015

The sheriff's office in Pickens County, South Carolina, has confirmed to ABC News that they have been contacted by the Dallas Police Department regarding the blue van used in the shooting.

The van matches the description of one recently sold in Georgia, but there has been no confirmation yet whether it is, in fact, the vehicle used this morning.

Get real-time updates as this story unfolds. To start, just "star" this story in ABC News' phone app. Download ABC News for iPhone here or ABC News for Android here.

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Police then chased the van to a fast food restaurant down Interstate 45, where a standoff ensued as officers and the driver exchanged gunfire.

The driver told officers he blames police for losing custody of his son and \"accusing him of being a terrorist,\" said Brown.

No officers were injured in the shootings.

Police also found four bags -- including at least one that contained pipe bombs -- around the department's headquarters. Bomb squad technicians detonated the explosives. When police detonated the van, it caught fire and police said rounds could be heard going off inside. Police also found two pipe bombs inside the van.

Brown said all seven patrol stations were searched and cleared of any explosives.

FBI updates they will relieve DPD as necessary at scene. Also DPD coordinating with Mesquite Bomb squad at suspects last known residence.

— Dallas Police Depart (@DallasPD) June 13, 2015

The sheriff's office in Pickens County, South Carolina, has confirmed to ABC News that they have been contacted by the Dallas Police Department regarding the blue van used in the shooting.

The van matches the description of one recently sold in Georgia, but there has been no confirmation yet whether it is, in fact, the vehicle used this morning.

Get real-time updates as this story unfolds. To start, just \"star\" this story in ABC News' phone app. Download ABC News for iPhone here or ABC News for Android here.

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