A gay police officer was reportedly among victims of the Dallas police shootings.
Image: Jesus Retana
Jesus Retana, 32, was among those who were shot and wounded during the bloody Thursday night events which witnessed a sniper’s bullets tearing through what seemingly, was a peaceful protest, killing five officers of the law and leaving many injured in downtown Dallas.
The lucky gay cop has worked as a Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) police officer for 10 years according to The Dallas Morning News.
TNCRM reports that Retana is now recovering at home with his husband, Andrew Moss, also a former officer at DART:
Moss was behind an effort to get DART to add insurance benefits for same-sex partners that began in 2012.
Retana and Moss were married in 2008 in California. Moss […] left law enforcement in 2010 due to health problems.
Retana and his husband reportedly do not want to be interviewed out of fear for their safety.
Though Retana survived the shooting, 5 other police officers were not so lucky. In total, 11 officers were targeted and shot by the sniper who police have identified as Micah Xavier Johnson, a decorated veteran who had served in the U.S. Army Reserve.
Image: Dallas Police Chief David Brown
Heartbroken Dallas Police Chief David Brown confirmed in a speech last night after the police successfully brought the situation under control, saying ‘three suspects are in custody and one is dead’.
Brown said that officers cornered one suspect and tried to negotiate, had exchange of gunfire, and used a bomb robot to detonate device where the suspect was.
“Other options would have exposed officers to grave danger. The suspect is deceased as a result of detonating the bomb.”
He continued: “The suspect said he was upset about Black Lives Matter. He said he was upset about the recent police shootings. The suspect said he was upset at white people.
“The suspect stated he wanted to kill white people, especially white officers.
“The suspect stated that we will eventually find the IEDs.
“The suspect stated that he was not affiliated with any groups and he stated that he did this alone.
“The suspect said other things that are part of this investigation so that we can make sure that everyone associated with this tragic event is brought to justice.”
Brown also praised the heroic efforts of police officers who moved toward the gunfire as it unfolded and pleaded with the public for support:
“We don’t feel support most days. Let’s not make today most days. Please, we need your support to be able to protect you from men like these who carried out this tragic, tragic event.”
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