Five Police Officers Killed By Snipers at Dallas Police Violence Protest
As scores of people took to the streets of Dallas to protest police violence in the aftermath of the killings of black men Alton Sterling and Philando Castille at the hands of law enforcement, snipers shot at officers, killing five and injuring seven other people. The attack is being called the worst mass shooting of police in America. [Washington Post]
Dallas, Technology and the Use of Lethal Force
After exhausting all other means of negotiation with the Dallas shooter, police saw “no other option but to use our bomb robot,” Chief David Brown of Dallas Police said. The robot contained a device that was programmed to detonate where the suspect was. Other options, the chief said, would’ve exposed more officers to danger. The use of robot, however, is now raising questions about how police adopt new technologies, and whether it’s appropriate to use them to deliver lethal force. [The Atlantic]
The NRA Isn’t Commenting on the Castile Shooting
Much has been made of the fact that Castile, the black man gunned down by police in Minnesota earlier this week, was a licensed gun owner with a permit to carry. Reports said he told the officer he had a gun and permit during the traffic stop before he was shot. The NRA, which usually sides with licensed gun owners in the gun control debate, has been noticeably silent in the aftermath of the shooting, which was partly live streamed by Castile’s fiancée. Vox explores how white identity has been closed linked with gun ownership and the NRA. [Vox]
Children at School Where Castile Was a Beloved Cafeteria Worker, Grapple With His Death
Teachers, staff and parents at the school where Castile grappled with how break the news to children who adored him.
“Police were worried that they were in danger because he had brown skin,” one parent told her child.
One mother whose child had a processing disorder that made it hard for him to look others in the eye would fist-bump Castile and hug his legs. [Washington Post]
Atlanta Hanging Referred to the FBI
A black man was found hanging from a tree in an Atlanta park on Thursday, and while the Atlanta Police Department controversially ruled it a likely suicide, the FBI is now involved. The mayor, Kasim Reed, said everything suggests there was no foul play, but “I want to state clearly and unequivocally that we will not prejudge the situation.” [AJC.com]
'Skirt,' 'Babe' and 'Beautiful:' The Sexist Comments Aimed at Gretchen Carlson on 'Fox & Friends'
Former Fox News anchor Gretchen Carlson made headlines this week after filing a lawsuit claiming sexual harassment against Fox CEO Roger Ailes. The legal filing also notes sexist behavior from male anchors on Fox & Friends, which Carlson used to co-host. New York Magazine has a supercut of some of those comments, including gems like, “Gretchen is really too hot, blame her,” and, “When it comes to bra stories, defer to the babe.” [New York Magazine]
New York’s Whales to be Studied for the First Time
A new study will analyze the habitat of New York’s whale population for the first time. The project launched by the Wildlife Conservation Society in partnership with the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution involves a listening buoy that was deployed off the coast of Long Island. Researchers hope the study will help protect the population that feeds and travels through one of the busiest shipping areas in the world. [The Guardian]
This column was compiled by DNAinfo reporters Nikhita Venugopal, Ewa Kern-Jedrychowska, Gwynne Hogan, Irene Plagianos, Shaye Weaver, Carolina Pichardo and Darunorro Clark.
