A full blown assault on the Dallas Police Department headquarters erupted in the middle of the night and as of this writing the dangerous situation is still playing out. In what looks like a detailed, planned in advance scheme, the attackers used multiple weapons, up to four bombs (two of which have been safely detonated by explosives experts) and an armored van. (Where in the heck did you get an armored van?) While details are developing and much of this may change, the cops are saying that up to four shooters were involved, (possibly more) with some of them possibly taking strategic, elevated positions to shoot at the cops.

Authorities say multiple suspects using automatic weapons opened fire on police officers outside Dallas Police headquarters early Saturday morning, before one man fled the scene in what witnesses said was an armored van.

Dallas Police Chief David Brown said the shootout began about 12:30 a.m. local time when the suspects pulled up to the building and began firing. He said at least one of the suspects fled the scene in a van that rammed a police cruiser before leading police on a chase that ended at a parking lot in Hutchins, where additional gunfire was exchanged.

After attacking the police station, some or all of the suspects fled in the armored van, and as of 8 am eastern time were holed up in a Jack in the Box parking lot where their van mysteriously developed engine trouble after the Dallas PD put multiple .50 caliber rounds through the front grill.

The almost miraculous fact about this event thus far is the complete lack of success enjoyed by the attackers despite what appears to be a very well financed, carefully planned assault. Thus far, even with all the bombs and gunfire, not a single police officer or civilian has even been injured, say nothing of killed. This was either poor planning on the shooters’ part or God was smiling on the Dallas PD last night. The attack took place right around the change of shift when there should have been plenty of cops coming and going, but nobody was hit.

When the story was developing, both the media and the police representatives were speculating as to who might have been responsible. Suggestions included ISIS inspired domestic terrorists, someone involved with the recent biker gang shootout, angry Islamic militants still upset over the cartoon contest or just good old fashioned cop haters who had watched one too many peaceful protests in the streets. But now the Police are releasing the unconfirmed name of one of the shooters who is stuck in the van. He claims to be James Boulware, a white male with a prison record and a history of family violence. The Chief of Police said that they have been in contact with the shooter, who claimed that the cops had “taken his child” and “called him a terrorist” and that he was going to do violence to them.

The cops are showing amazing restraint in this situation so far if you ask me. Messing with the Texas police is not generally held to be a strategy conducive to a long and happy life, but so far all the suspects seem to remain above room temperature. Frankly, an armored van sounds like a great time to use a grenade launcher. (Which I recently questioned as to whether or not cops really need, but clearly there’s a time and place for everything.)

As this unfolds you can follow the Dallas PD Twitter feed where they have been doing a top notch job keeping the public up to date on developments. We’ll have more updates as they are warranted.

UPDATE: (Jazz) The media keeps saying “automatic weapons fire” but listening to the audio from the cell phone footage it really sound more like rapidly fired single shots from semi-automatics to me. Of course, the media is full of people who regularly demonstrate that they don’t understand the difference when they’re trying to demonize gun owners, so take that for what it’s worth.

UPDATE: (Jazz) Dallas cops are saying that police snipers have shot either “a suspect” or “some suspects” at the site of the van. More to come.