The shooting of 12 police officers during an otherwise peaceful Black Lives Matter protest in Dallas late Thursday did not go unnoticed by Flint Mayor Karen Weaver or police chief Tim Johnson.
The duo released a joint statement Friday: "We extend our deepest condolences to members of the Dallas Police Department, Mayor (Mike) Rawlings and the entire community of Dallas, Texas. Our hearts go out to the officers and residents injured in the tragic attack Thursday night. May our thoughts and prayers bring you some comfort during this very difficult time.”
Weaver and Johnson were not the only public figures to comment on the violence, which left five officers dead and many, including two civilians, wounded.
Gov. Rick Snyder tweeted Friday afternoon with an announcement that the state would "lower the flags to half-staff today through July 12 in honor of the victims of the attacks in Dallas." He also noted that one of the fallen officers was a Michigan native who previously worked in law enforcement in the southeastern Michigan region.
"My heart is with the @DallasPD, @dartmedia police & the community they serve. Sue & I offer many prayers for them & their families," Snyder's tweet said.
President Barack Obama sent his sympathies to Dallas, saying: “There is no possible justification for these kinds of attacks or any violence against law enforcement.” He later added, “anyone involved in these senseless murders will be held fully accountable. Justice will be done.”
Hillary Clinton sent her condolences to Dallas through Twitter, saying that she was mourning for the police officers who were shot while protecting peaceful protesters.
Even Donald Trump, who avoided issuing statements after the murders of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile at the hands of law enforcement earlier this week, commented on Dallas.
“Last night’s horrific execution-style shootings of 12 Dallas law enforcement officers — five of whom were killed and seven wounded — is an attack on our country. It is a coordinated, premeditated assault on the men and women who keep us safe,” the presumed GOP candidate said, later acknowledging the “senseless” deaths of Sterling and Castile, and saying the madness was a reminder of how “our nation has become too divided” and needs “strong leadership, love, and compassion” to move forward.
