Possible suspect in Dallas attack had criminal history

DALLAS — The possible suspect in an armored van who attacked Dallas Police headquarters and led officers on a chase to Hutchins, Texas, told officers that he was the same man arrested on multiple charges in 2013, according to police.

Dallas police said the suspect identified himself as James Boulware, but could not confirm the identity. The suspect was later shot and killed by a police sniper.

Boulware was arrested on multiple assault charges in May 2013, according to Lamar County Jail records. Records show Boulware was charged with one count of impeding a family member's breath or circulation and another count of causing bodily injury to a family member.

That incident, which occurred in Paris, Texas, involved multiple threats of violence against family and community members.

Dallas Police Chief David Brown said the suspect referenced a past incident with Dallas Police during initial negotiations in the standoff.

"The suspect has told our negotiators that we took his child, accused him of being a terrorist, and that he's going to 'blow us up,' " Brown said. The suspect then cut off negotiations.

Brown said a motive for Saturday's incident could not be confirmed.

Boulware was transferred to Dallas County from Lamar County in his 2013 run-in with the law, jail records show.

Brown said the suspect Saturday was specifically targeting police officers. "He planted five packages to explode on touch," Brown said. He added that, had an officer touched the explosives, they would not have survived.

The suspect's vehicle was disabled at a Hutchins Jack in the Box fast-food restaurant. Police used a bomb squad robot to examine the armored van. A sniper then shot through the windshield of the vehicle, killing the suspect, police said.