Flags outside the Greater Sudbury Police building are at half mast today in memory of five officers gunned down Thursday in Dallas, Tex.
Snipers opened fire on Dallas police officers, killing five and wounding six others, during a protest over fatal police shootings of black men in other states, police said, in bloodshed evoking the trauma of the nation's tumultuous civil rights era.
Deputy Chief Al Lekun said the flags have been lowered to show solidarity with their grieving colleagues south of the border.
"Because of the officers in Dallas, yes, it's a tragic situation,” Lekun said. “Our flag goes to half mast when officers are killed in the line of duty. And in this particular situation, as people are aware, it's the most significant loss of officers since 9/11.
"It's out of respect for the Dallas Police Service, those officers who were killed in the line of duty and their families and friends. Our flags are at half mast pretty much throughout the province."
The tragedy in Dallas followed two high-profile incidents in which two black men were killed by police in recent days. Videos uploaded to social media showed the shootings took place when neither of the men appeared to be presenting a threat to the officers involved or anyone else.
"There's a pretty tense social dynamic and situation ongoing in the United States as we speak,” Lekun said. “It's a very tragic circumstance."
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also expressed sympathy Friday over the sniper deaths in Dallas.
In a tweet, Trudeau says Canadians are shocked by the attacks and says Canada's solidarity is with all victims of violence on this tragic week.
Toronto police chief Mark Saunders also tweeted out his force's heartfelt sympathies, thoughts and prayers to the Dallas police department.
With files from Canadian Press
