DALLAS, Texas – The Dallas Police Department was investigating Saturday following a threat made on its headquarters building, according to officials.
“Seeing that it's still not safe to go into the street, it's definitely very heartbreaking that it's not over,” Carmen Vazquez said.
Dallas police received an anonymous threat against law enforcement across the city and took precautionary measures to heightened security, officials said. Multiple source reported earlier the building was on lockdown, but DPD officials said this information was incorrect.
NBC video taken outside the headquarters showed SWAT and police vehicles on the scene. The officers conducted a systematic search of the parking garage several times for a suspicious person but found no one, according to the DPD Twitter account.
“Now that I'm sitting in front of our headquarters and it's happening right in front of me, I don't know how to react. It's kind of scary,” Alexis Rouillard said.
The department later sent K-9 officers in for a secondary search.
Many in the area said they heard a loud pop sound; Dallas police officials confirmed this was the sound of a SWAT device used to unlock a closed fence. The department also said officers will be using a shotgun to break into a locked door inside the garage.
There has been media reports of shots fired at police HQ, there has been NO shots fired. SWAT set off a device to enter a locked fence.
— Dallas Police Dept (@DallasPD) July 9, 2016
Many Dallas residents are on edge after a snipper attack Thursday night during a protest over recent police shootings of black men left five DPD officers dead and at least seven others injured.
On the other side of the building was a memorial to the five fallen officers grew as people from around the area left dozens of flowers, balloons, notes and candles.
"We unite" covered two police cars.
“People really do care — they really do. Your loved ones are not forgotten. They never will be,” Amy Annab said.
Vazquez said it's a way to show gratitude to those who even on the darkest days, run toward danger, instead of from it.
“Our hearts are just so heavy,” one woman said. “We drove here from McKinney, and we just want the city to unite and be one together.”
Chandler Davis, a former Army paramedic, held a salute just a few steps from the memorial.
A friend said Davis planned to do this for four hours to show the actions of one military member shooter, Micah Johnson, doesn’t represent the entire military.
DPD headquarters on lockdown after threat. A lot of officers and SWAT in area. @KPRC2 pic.twitter.com/tra7McCNE9
— KPRC Cathy Hernandez (@KPRC2Cathy) July 9, 2016
Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings also visited the headquarters, hoping that something positive could come from one of his city's darkest days.
“That’s the job of everybody that’s seeing this,” Rawlings said. “To decide for themselves whether this wants to be senseless and useless, absurd moment in life or if it has a purpose and a grander plan to make us a stronger country, a stronger city and a stronger world.”
Meanwhile, five families are planning funerals.
"My son is a hero," father Rick Zamarripa said.
Patrick Zamarripa was a Dallas police officer who survived three tours in Iraq only to be gunned down at home.
"He would help you anyway (possible),” Zamarripa said. “He'll give you the last dollar in his pocket if you needed it."
The Zamarripa family was one of families who came out to pay their respects.
“They're much stronger and braver than I am. They put on their uniform every day without fear. It's my heart that troubles for them. So just thank you,” Vazquez said.