U.S. President Barack Obama will speak today in Dallas, a city still reeling from the aftermath of a deadly shooting rampage that targeted police officers during a peaceful protest.
The president will deliver remarks at an interfaith memorial for the five officers slain in Dallas when a sniper fired into a crowd of people protesting the recent police shootings of black men in the U.S. He will also meet with grieving law enforcement officials and the victims’ families.
White House spokesman Josh Earnest said Obama recognizes that people across the U.S. join Dallas in grieving over the recent, troubling events.
“The president is hoping to offer some measure of comfort,” Earnest said.
He is expected to deliver his remarks at 1:40 p.m. ET.
Officers Brent Thompson, Patrick (Patricio) Zamarripa, Michael Krol, Lorne Ahrens and Michael Smith were all slain in the line of duty by an Army veteran-turned-sniper during what Obama denounced as a “vicious, calculated and despicable attack” by a “demented” individual.
The attack ended with the gunman, Micah Johnson, 25, blown up by a bomb delivered by a police robot. The shooter portrayed the attack on the white officers as payback for the fatal police shootings of Alton Sterling in Baton Rouge, La., and Philandro Castile in suburban Minneapolis.
Portions of both shootings were videotaped and broadcast nationwide, leading to fresh outrage, protests and scores of arrests. The killings also put the country on edge, heightened racial tensions and pushed the issue of the use of deadly force against black males by white police officers to the forefront.
Obama will seek to bridge those issues with his tribute to the fallen five, which include a former Army Ranger, a Navy veteran and a newlywed starting a second family.
Vice-President Joe Biden is also scheduled to attend today’s service, as well as former president George W. Bush and his wife, Laura.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott will not attend the memorial service. Abbott’s office said Monday that the Republican will being undergoing skin grafts after suffering second- and third-degree burns on his feet and both legs below the knees. His wife, Cecilia Abbott, will take his place.
Obama will host a meeting with law enforcement officials, activists and civil rights leaders on Wednesday to discuss ways to repair “the bonds of trust” between communities and police.
Obama and Biden met Monday with police chiefs, sheriffs and rank-and-file officers to discuss adopting a series of reforms that were drafted by a White House task force on policing, as well as how to restore trust between police officers and the communities they are sworn to serve and protect.
More than 1,000 people gathered in downtown Dallas to attend a candlelight vigil for the five police officers on Monday night.
During the emotional event, Dallas Area Rapid Transit Chief J.D. Spiller said the attacks won’t tear the city apart. Four Dallas police officers and one DART officer were killed in Thursday’s attack.
“We must have that discussion about race in America. We must lead the state of Texas on race relations in America. We must support our police officers in Texas. We must lead America in leading and protecting and supporting our police officers,” Spiller said.
Vigil for fallen Dallas officers1:23