Inside Story Of The Deadliest Attack On Police Officers Since 9/11

Inside Story Of The Deadliest Attack On Police Officers Since 9/11

Author: Robert Riggs August 15, 2022 Duration: 1:12:21

On the evening of July 7, 2016, Black Lives Matter protesters marched in downtown Dallas and other cities nationwide.

They peacefully gathered in response to the police shootings of two black men, Philando Castile and Alton Sterling.

A few blocks from the site of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, an African American man who had left the U.S. Army following disgraceful conduct got out of his SUV, ready for combat.

The mass murderer arrived with a calculated plan to kill police officers, preferably white officers. 

Wearing tactical gear, a bullet-resistant vest, and armed with a high-powered assault rifle, he, in effect, executed five officers and wounded eleven others. 

A cell phone video by a witness in a nearby building recorded Johnson shooting an officer for the city’s transit system, DART,  in the back and then standing over the officer to pump eleven more rounds into him at point-blank range.

The ambush marked the deadliest and bloodiest day for American law enforcement since 9/11.

In a fierce gun battle, officers cornered the shooter inside the downtown campus building of the El Centro Community College.

Larry Gordon, a crisis hostage negotiator for the DALLAS SWAT team, spent four hours talking with the gunman who pledged to take his life and the lives of more officers.

Gordon and Retired Dallas Police Lt. Bob Owens, a 40-year veteran of DPD who served 20 years on SWAT, join Robert to reveal the inside story of what happened.


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Robert Riggs has spent decades as an investigative reporter, and in True Crime Reporter, he applies that relentless, document-driven approach to the stories that haunt us. This isn't just a retelling of grim headlines; it's a meticulous walk through active case files, historical injustices, and the societal undercurrents that allow crime to flourish. Each episode feels like you're sitting across from Riggs as he lays out his notes, connecting dots between evidence, witness accounts, and the often-overlooked details that change a narrative. You'll hear the tension in the pursuit of truth, the weight of unresolved questions, and the quiet impact on communities and families left in the wake of violence. The podcast moves beyond the sensational to examine the cultural and systemic factors at play, offering a sober, deeply researched perspective. Listen for long-form narratives that build like a detective's board, where every piece of audio, every interview, and every document serves a purpose. It’s for those who want to understand the 'why' and the 'how' as much as the 'who,' presented with the clarity and authority of a seasoned journalist who knows the terrain. This is a journey into real stories, handled with the care they demand, and it naturally becomes an essential listen for anyone fascinated by the intersection of human behavior, justice, and the news.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

True Crime Reporter
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