Who was Dallas shooting suspect Micah Xavier Johnson?

Micah Johnson, 25, has been named as the suspected shooter in the Dallas police attacks.

This is what we know about him:

  • His background

Police found a cache of weapons at Micah Johnson's home Credit: Reuters

Johnson was a former US army reservist who had completed a tour of duty in Afghanistan.

He had no criminal record and no known links with terror groups.

It is not yet clear whether he had any accomplice in the sniper attacks that killed five police officers and and injured seven others.

Police initially believed they had been attacked by multiple shooters but it now appears Johnson may have been the only gunman.

Three other suspects are in police custody over the shooting. It is not clear what their links to Johnson are, if any.

Johnson's Facebook page shows he had an interest in black rights groups including New Black Panther Party, the Nation of Islam and the Black Riders Liberation Party, according to the the Southern Poverty Law Center.

Johnson was described as a "loner" by police.

  • Army service

Johnson was a US army reservist and had served in Afghanistan. Credit: Reuters

Johnson was a private first class in the Army reserve who had served in Afghanistan, the US army has confirmed.

He joined the army in March 2009 and served as a carpentry and masonry specialist with the 420th Engineering Brigade, based in Texas.

He achieved the rank of private first class on May 2010.

Johnson was deployed to Afghanistan from November 2013 to July 2014.

He left the army in April 2015.

It is not clear under what circumstances he left the army, though the New York Times claims he was accused of sexually assaulting a female colleague during his time in Afghanistan.

Before Thursday's shooting, he was working as an aide for mentally challenged children and adults, according to documents obtained by NBC News.

  • The attack

Tributes to the victims of the attack outside Dallas police headquarters Credit: Reuters

The shooter told police he "wanted to kill white people, especially white officers" during contacts with police during the attacks.

Whilst holed up in a hotel he claimed to have planted explosive devices in the area. None have been found.

At one point the shooter said "the end is coming" and said he was coming to hurt more officers, said Dallas Police Chief David Brown.

He died in a controlled explosion after police sent in a bomb carried by a robot to "blast him out".

Searches of Johnson's house subsequently uncovered bomb-making materials, guns and a bullet proof vest.

A journal detailing information about personal combat tactics was also discovered and is currently being analysed by police.