Week of deadly shootings, protests, rising tensions

A week that began with the celebration of Independence Day quickly turned violent with the deaths of two black men — one in Baton Rouge, La., and the other in St. Paul, Minn. — during their interactions with police officers. Both incidents were captured by cellphone video. Previously peaceful protests in Dallas took a violent and tragic turn when five police officers were killed and seven more wounded Thursday night. Here is how the events unfolded.

July 5

Police shooting in Louisiana

Alton Sterling, 37, was shot and killed early Tuesday as he wrestled with two white police officers outside the convenience store in Baton Rouge, where he sold music and movies on compact discs. Police say he was armed. It was not clear from murky cellphone footage whether Sterling had the gun in his hand or was reaching for it when he was shot.

July 6

Another police shooting in Minnesota

Diamond Reynolds watched as a police officer fatally shot her boyfriend, Philando Castile, 32, of St. Paul, during a traffic stop in a St. Paul suburb and streamed the gruesome aftermath of the slaying live on Facebook, telling a worldwide audience that her companion had been shot "for no apparent reason" while reaching for his wallet.

July 7

Protests break out

After the two police-involved shootings, protests broke out in Baton Rouge and St. Paul, but also elswhere, including Chicago, where marchers walked down the Dan Ryan Expressway. Notable protests took place in New York, Denver, Oakland, Calif., and Portland, Ore.

July 7

Officers killed in Dallas

Gunmen shot and killed five police officers and wounded seven others during a protest over fatal police shootings of black men in other states, authorities said. Four of the officers who were killed were with the Dallas Police Department. One was a Dallas Area Rapid Transit officer. It appeared to be the deadliest day for U.S. law enforcement since the 2001 terrorist attacks. Police Chief David Brown blamed "snipers" and said three suspects were in custody. Mayor Mike Rawlings said a fourth was slain by police in a downtown parking garage where he had exchanged gunfire with authorities.

July 8

President speaks

In a brief statement to reporters, President Barack Obama said the investigation into the Dallas shooting continues but "what we do know is there has been a vicious, calculated and despicable attack on law enforcement." Obama called the shooters motives "twisted" and vowed that "justice will be done." "There's no possible justification for these kinds of attacks or any violence against law enforcement," Obama said, noting that he had spoken with Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings and offered his support and condolences.