Police sniper shoots suspect in Dallas attack

A US police sniper has shot the suspect in an overnight attack on Dallas police headquarters and officers are now checking to see if he is still alive.

Police chief David Brown said an officer shot the suspect while he was holed up in a van in a car park in the Dallas suburb of Hutchins. He said the man told police he had explosives in the van.

Mr Brown said 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.

Mr Brown said 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”.

Despite a hail of gunshots at the police headquarters, including some that hit police vehicles, nobody was wounded.

Mr Brown told a news conference that the shootout began about 12.30am today.

Police said they found two explosive devices near the headquarters building and cleared them away.