And we are grieving with them. We are live with the latest on the deadliest attack on u. S. Law enforcement since 9 11. Today, friday, july 8th, 2016. This is special edition of today. Tragedy in dallas with matt lauer and Savannah Guthrie live from studio 1a in rockefeller plaza. Good morning, everybody. Good morning, everybody. Welcome to today. Its friday morning. We have willie in for matt. We are waking up to a shock, 11 officers shot in dallas, five of them have been killed. Lets get right to this breaking news. Heres what we know. It started before 9 00 local time in dallas, a march protesting this weeks officerinvolved shootings just wrapped up. As we were killed and four from the Dallas Police department and the fifth was a dallas area Rapid Transit officer. President obama spoke earlier this morning and said he was horrified by the attack, and called it vicious, calculated and despicable. Lets start with Gabe Gutierrez at the scene. Reporter it was a protest against Police Violence and then violence erupted. 11 officers shot this morning, five of them are dead and much of Downtown Dallas still on lockdown and we just learned authorities finished sweeping the area for explosives and found none. After this weeks shooting deaths of a black man in louisiana and minnesota, and what began as a peaceful protest in Downtown Dallas turned suddenly into chaos. Terrified demonstrators running for cover, and cell phone capturing the barrage of gunfire. Shots fired, officer down. Its an assist officer. One officer ditching his motorcycle taking cover. I just saw cops bending over me, and there had to be cops all getting shot down. We heard the shots and i saw one of the officers land on his stomach and he was not responsive and they rolled him over. Ing overnight, shocked confusion. Dallas coming to grips with an unfolding national tragedy. We saw a baby stroller left in the street, and i guess the parent was in shock. And a tense standoff under way, and a suspect cornered and exchanging gunfire and then a woman taken into custody near the garage and two people seen leaving in a mercedes stopped and questioned. Told our negotiators that the end is coming and hes going to hurt and kill more of us, meaning Law Enforcement, and that there are bombs all over the place in this ra downtown. Within minutes bystanders heard a blast and by 2 25 local time that suspect was dead and police swept the area for possible explosive devices and found none and a massive investigation under way after the deadliest attack in the u. S. On Law Enforcement since 9 11. This all happened not far from daily plaza. This city is grieving after another national tragedy. At least five officers murdered in the line of duty. Willie, savannah. Thank you. It bares repeating, this is the deadliest attack against the police in the u. S. Since 9 11. Can you see it on the officers standing here, on their out here all night dealing with the tragedy at the loss of their beloved colleagues and friends and you had some that showed up with protest with anger towards officers who are praying for and standing in solidarity with the officers. This morning officials with d. A. R. T. , confirming the death of brent thompson, the 43yearold officer killed in the line of duty since 1989, and he joined the force in 2009. D. A. R. T. Posting this, as you can imagine, our hearts are broken and this is something that touches every part of our organization. Three other d. A. R. T. Officers were shot in the attack and the other officers shot and killed worked for the Dallas Police department. Tpau lawn dough kau steal. 6 event. The department tragenot wearing gear. Seeing the courage and professionalism and just the grit to stay on scene in an area looking for suspects knowing that we are vulnerable. I can tell you, i have never been more proud of a Police Officer and being part of this great noble profession. Reporter and no doubt we expect to learn more about the condition of those six officers who are wounded but so far survived their injuries later at a press conference in a half hour. Were told the d. A. R. T. Officers who have been injured are expected to survive. Willie, savannah . Jacob rascon, thank you. Were joined by dallas mayor mike rawlings. Mr. Mayor,oo we just want to send our condolences to you and your community and the community of Law Enforcement. Our hearts are with you on a very difficult day. Thank you. It is painful morning. I was with families last night. Officers last night. This is a terrible blow to the city of dallas. A terrible blow to the United States of america. And it calls for us to come together at this time and hopefully love one another deeply. There are so many questions this morning. As we understand it, the police have three suspects in custody and one suspect was killed in a shootout with police. Have you learned anymore about who these suspects are, what their motivations or affiliations might be . Were undergoing an intense investigation au bringing in everybody looking at all of the backgrounds and we dont have any information at this time. Were glad that we took down one of the suspects and we are hopeful that we have got everybody, but we dont know that for sure. Are suspects in custody cooperating with police . Are they talking to your investigators . Theyre not at this point. Theyre subjects that were just interviewing. Theyre being pretty tight lipped at this point. Mr. Mayor, its willie geist. We appreciate you taking time with us this morning. Have they given any indication or Little Information they have provided of what their motive may have been in that shooting last night . Its simple. They wanted to kill Police Officers. And sadly they did. That teaches u Police Officers stand between us and every day tragedy. These men that put their lives on the line last night and lost them, and weve got to get to the bottom of it. More importantly, we have to lift up the families right now and lift up every officer in the United States of america. This is what happens day in and day out. Mr. Mayor, you mentioned at your earlier press briefing this was a coordinated triangulated attack was the word you used with multiple shooters that had experience with long guns. Have you learned anymore about how they planned or carried out this attack . Weve got some reports out there but they have not been confirmed. At our morning press conference, hopefully well confirm those and be able to give you more information. At this time we dont. Before we let you go, mayor, i know its a busy day. There are six wounded officers. A wounded civilian. Do you know anything about the their conditions this morning . I want to make sure we get the numbers right because 12 officers were shot. Eight were Dallas Police officers. Five are dead. Five were transit officers. Two civilians. One male and one female. No one died there. So those are the numbers that i got when i walked in to my office just a moment ago. Thank you for that updated information. Obviously well pass that along. Mayor rawlings, again, our condolences and appreciation for your time, sir, this morning. Thank you, sir. We feel the prayers. Thank you. The victims include members as we mention of both the Police Department in dallas and the dallas area Rapid Transit authority. Gary thomas is d. A. R. T. s president and do you have an update for us on the condition of those wounded officers . We have one officer was preparing to go into surgery. Anot one officer was preparing to go into surgery and another being evaluated for surgery and one was released to go home. Are they all expected to survive, chief . Yes, those three are expected to survive. There was nothing life threatening at that time, but they are going to have to undergo surgery. Mr. Thomas, what was the role of the d. A. R. T. Officers at that event. What was the role of we actually run the Transit System and we have train lines that go through downtown and theres a rail station that was very close to where the protests was going on, the event was going on, and our officers were there to make sure that our patrons and customers riding the trains and buses were able to get on and off the trains and buses in a safe and efficient manner, and that travel on the trains and buses was not impacted by the event nearby. Was there any indication to you or Dallas Police there was anything suspicious, was there reason to believe there would be heightened concern . We did not have any reason to believe that we were going to have something to occur of this nature. I must say even though we didnt training of our officers as well as the Dallas Police officers was very appropriate for the circumstances that occurred and the officers wanted to immediately make sure that the protesters were safe and getting to those officers wounded and then trying to engage those suspects, and accidentally i think that reduced the number of injuries because of the Quick Response and actions of not only our officers but the Dallas Police department officers, we saw less injuries to protesters as well as to the officers because of their Quick Response. I want to ask you in closing, chief, and mr. Thomas as well, tell me a little bit about officer thompson, frank thompson, the man. Well, he was a great officer. He served as a patrol oer tonight and he was also a he also performed as a rail officer, and i would like to point out, brett was recently married in the last two weeks, so this is very heartbreaking for us, but not only for that reason but because we lost a member in blue and we received sympathies and calls and emails all across the country from Police Departments as well as citizens throughout the u. S. And canada and england as well as here in the north texas region. But brett was a great officer and we will definitely miss him and we are also making sure his family is taken care of and thats where our attention is focused now, and with the Dallas Police department making sure we are there for them with the investigation and the care and wellbeing of their offi also. Married within the last two weeks, officer brett thompson. We are glad to hear other officers wounded in the attack will in fact, survive. Thank you. Thank you, gentlemen. The president was quick to denounce the attack and addressed the shootings from the site of a major nato summit in poland and ron allen is joining us from wore saw. Mr. Obama visibly troubled and upset. I believe that i speak for every single american when i say that we are horrified over these events and stand united with the people and the Police Department in dallas. Reporter president obama saying he offered his condolence police force, and mr. Obama said he still reached one unmistakable conclusion. Let me be clear, theres no possible justification for these kinds of attack or any violence against Law Enforcement. Arriving in warsaw, the president condemning for the killings. And i get letters, wellmeaning letters sometimes from Law Enforcement saying how come we are under attack . How come not as much emphasis is made when Police Officers are shot . To all of Law Enforcement, i want to be very clear, we know you have a tough job. Today thees dallas. Lets call for americans to say a prayer for the officers and their families and to keep them in their thoughts, and as a nation lets remember to express our profound gratitude to our men and women in blue, not just today but every day. Reporter and the president said the nation must confront the reality of how easy it is for somebody to get their hands on powerful weapons. Ron allen traveling with the president in warsaw. The latest Police Shooting streamed live by the victims girlfriend. And joe has more on that investigation. Reporter willie, good morning. Protesters here in minnesota say they are sad by what happened in dallas and one person telling us two wrongs dont make a right and several videos as evidence including squad car video as the community here remembers the man that died. With castiles Family Gathering outside of the school where castile worked and was known simply as mr. Phil. It leaves a hole in my heart. And hes always been the kind of guy you can trust. He was shot by a Police Officer during a traffic shot. You sought four bullets into him, sir. He was just getting his license and regisat the moments before the shooting and she says they were pulled over by two officers for a broken taillight. As fur hrapb dough kau stcas reached for license, he said, i have a concealed weapon, and the officer began to shoot. Its critically for to remember despite the graphic nature of the video that theres a great deal we dont know about what happened and why. The medical examiner confirms castile did die of multiple gunshot wounds and local and state leaders calling for an expedited investigation saying they do not want to wait months for this unfolding story in dallas and we will have more just ahead. And dylan is here for al this morning. We are watching a few areas where we could see stronger storms today and this includes the great lakes stretch into kentucky, and the second area through the Southern Plains and this is a possibility of producing hail and damaging winds and elsewhere its hot and humid and temperatures in the 90s to nearly 100 and the humidity will make it feel even warmer. Good morning. I am storm team 4 meteorologist, chuck bell. And heat index near 100 again this afternoon, and there will be a chance for stronger thunderstorms today moving through the metro probably as early as 2 00 to 5 00 or 6 00 this evening. There could be Stormy Weather to be dealt with today, and already in the 70s forecasting a high of 95, and drier tomorrow and cooler on sunday. And thats your latest forecast. Dylan, thank you. Coming up, the latest on this mornings breaking news, the deadly ambush on Police Officers in dallas. A minute by minute account of the chaos and the latest on the investigation and an eyewitness account, but first this is today on nbc. Take a look on the plaza for a performance. Words you dont often hear. Words we at panera live by. Because clean food is food as it should be. With no artificial flavors, preservatives, sweeteners, and no colors from artificial sources. We think clean food tastes better, feels better, does better. 100 of our food will be clean by years end. Every bite will be food as it should be. One of the cool perks of this place is you can eat as much cereal as you want. Its like im going to work to get some. Alrighty. We just like cereal. We make it, eat it, love it, live it. laughing and now in delicious chocolate. Announcer this is a news4 today news break. 7 26 is your time now on this friday, july 8th, 2016. Good morning to you. I am eun yang. I am aaron gilchrist. Five Police Officers were killed in an attack overnight during a peaceful protest over police killings. Reporter there was a peaceful protest that happened here at the white house and went to the u. S. Capitol yesterday, and two more were scheduled, and one was called a Community Gathering at 8 00 tonight at the first ucc northwest. Back to you. We are going to check on your commute now with jack taylor. Jack . We have had our trouble spots in northwest and a tree fell on the road on fox hall road, and you want to avoid this if possible. Power crews are there on scene with the tree trimmers, and 49th street, and reservoir macarthur going to be your alternate. Otherwise, friday light. Thank you, jack. A check on your forecast is next. Good morning. Its a sunny and hazy start to the day and already in the mid to upper 70s across the area and plan on another day of high heat and humidity, near 95 for our temperature this afternoon and thunderstorms coming our way and some could be strong to severe midafternoon to late evening so have your nbc washington app ready to go. Another update in 25 minutes. Back to the today show after this short break. Were back. 7 30. Its a friday were back at 7 30. Its a friday morning, the 8th of july. We have harrowing images, a tragic story, snipers ambushing Police Officers at the end of a peaceful protest. A fourth suspect is dead after a standoff. Reporter good morning. We have 11 officers who have been shot and five of those who have been killed and we are waiting on updates and conditions of the other six officers and we know three of them are expected to survive, and were not sure about the other three. At 8 58, our Worst Nightmare happened. The nightmare in Downtown Dallas, an active shooter. Market and lamar, assist officers, shots fired. Shots fired, officer down, its an assist officer. Dallas police on high alert racing towards the gunfire. All s. W. A. T. Officers on channel two, saying the suspect has a rival. Because i am a gun owner i knew it was an assault rifle. But police cant find out where he is at. Officers are being gunned down. All of the cops are getting shot and i saw cops bending over, man, there had to be five or six cops all getting shot down. My cars shot, and let them know i am coming. The news is bad. We three passed away and one in surgery. Its not one suspect but potentially several snipers picking off police. Working together with rifles, try triangulated. Two caught leaving the scene and police are negotiating with a fourth who is still shooting and a chilling new threat. The suspect we are negotiating with told our negotiators that he is going to hurt and kil