During a Sunday morning interview with CBS’s John Dickerson, Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson stated though Dallas shooter Micah Johnson told hostage negotiators he “wanted to kill white people, especially white police officers,” “it’s still relatively early” to qualify his actions as a hate crime.
“You said there’s no link to a terrorist organization here, but the shooting in Dallas was by any definition terrorism and a hate crime, wasn’t it?” posed Dickerson.
“Well, there’s still an investigation being conducted by the Dallas police department and the FBI supported by many resources from the local government and the federal government,” Johnson responded. “So it’s still relatively early.” (VIDEO: Obama — ‘It’s Very Hard To Untangle’ Dallas Shooter’s Motives)
U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson speaks during a press conference Santa Clara, California. (Getty Images)
“We do know from Chief Brown that this individual told the hostage negotiator he wanted to kill white people, especially white police officers, I think that’s almost a quote,” he added. “This is obviously a terrible act that appears to be targeted at police officers, particularly white police officers.”
Johnson closed by noting, “the shooter is not reflective of the larger movement to bring about change that was out in Dallas to peacefully demonstrate, and those who engage in excessive force in the law enforcement are not reflective of the larger law enforcement community.”