American apocalypse? Here is the ex-police ‘zombie fighting’ van used to attack Dallas police

IT is totally bulletproof and loaded with explosives. How could an angry gunman plotting a brazen attack buy this “zombie apocalypse” van online?

HEAVILY militarised police in the United States have just had a dose of their own medicine: Contending with an ex-police issue armoured “zombie apocalypse” van.

The combat vehicle was at the centre of a brazen attack on Dallas police at the weekend when James Lance Boulware drove up to a police headquarters, unloaded an explosive device — and opened fire on the building.

He then drove off — seemingly unaffected by the hail of bullets sent after him.

#BREAKING inside @Dallaspd HQ riddled with bullet holes #DallasPDShooting pic.twitter.com/jIZqd78di9

— Maj. Max Geron (@MaxDPD) June 13, 2015

How a man with Boulware’s track record of violence was permitted to purchase the heavily modified 1995 Ford van — complete with extensive armour plate, gun ports and puncture resistant tyres — is not yet known. The same applies to the automatic and high-powered weapons and explosives found in the van.

What is known is he simply bought the former SWAT vehicle for $A10,000 on eBay.

Soft target ... Boarded up windows beside the entrance to the Jack Evans Police Headquarters in Dallas. Source: AP

American Apocalypse

The Dallas Morning News reports the van had been sold to a distributor as surplus to Georgia police requirements. Social media posts advertising the vehicle — which have since been deleted — declared it to be a “Zombie Apocalypse Assault Vehicle and Troop Transport”.

The van was disabled by our DPD sniper using a 50cal sniper rifle #DPDattack pic.twitter.com/e86hbUC7Sc

— Dallas Police Assoc (@DPA_PoliceAssoc) June 13, 2015

The advert read: “This full armoured zombie busting vehicle features convenient gun ports so no zombie juice touches you during a mass zombie take down … The tactical step boards are installed for when you only need swords and axes for drive by mow downs. The bumpers are made of reinforced steel tubing, so no dents from smashing zombie heads! It’s full armour plated and has bullet proof windows just in case you run into other zombie hunting hordes who might try to take this bad boy from you.”

Good look at the susps van that he purchased on eBay #DPDattack pic.twitter.com/9j17TxrcI8

— Dallas Police Assoc (@DPA_PoliceAssoc) June 13, 2015

It’s just one sign of a growing domestic arms race.

A flood of surplus military equipment has found its way into US civilian and police hands. Military-grade body armour and helmets are available to anyone. Such a suite of gear was used by the gunman in the Colorado movie theatre massacre in 2012.

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Police responding to Ferguson’s police-shooting fuelled race riots last year rolled up in armoured vehicles wearing combat gear and carrying military assault and sniper rifles — further inflaming outrage.

And then there’s the frequent ‘flash-bang’ raids by heavily armed stormtroopers on residential properties during the early hours of morning to execute warrants.

Reason why SWAT has military style vehicles to combat/protect what we believe the susp purchased on eBay to attack http://t.co/1nMvHq9ymb

— Dallas Police Assoc (@DPA_PoliceAssoc) June 13, 2015

US police have been arguing that their heavy ex-military weapons are necessary in instances such as these were perpetrators have armoured vehicles. The irony that it was a surplus police vehicle appears to have escaped them.

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President Barak Obama recently issued an executive order banning the military from handing surplus heavy 0.50 calibre anti-armour rifles — and other larger weapons — to police.

Near miss ... This photo shows a large chip made by gunfire and crime scene tape in front of the entrance to the Jack Evans Police Headquarters in Dallas. Source: AP

Clear and present danger

Two years ago Boulware was accused of choking his mother and fleeing to an East Texas town where schools were locked down out of fear he would attack them as “soft targets,” according to accounts from police and family members.

Boulware had allegedly been engaged in a fierce argument with his mother about religion when he grabbed her by the neck. Witnesses say he had to be pulled away from her.

A police report says he was then seen on the same day in Paris, Texas, about 100 miles away, where he grabbed weapons and body armour and talked about “shooting up schools and churches.”

James Boulware. Source: Dallas Police

In interviews with The Associated Press, Boulware’s father recalled his son’s seething anger at police after losing custody of his child last week, and his brother recalled that the family’s attempts to get Boulware help were rebuffed.

“We had tried for two years,” his brother, Andrew Boulware, said Sunday. “I didn’t honestly think that he would ever go this far, but it was always in the back of my mind that it was a possibility.”

Standoff ... Dallas Police, Sheriff's Department, and FBI officers investigate the scene of a standoff between police and the gunman. Source: AFP

Die Hard

Dallas police chased the heavily protected van through suburban streets on Saturday, though initially they were unable to do much about it.

It was caught on video ramming police cars. Gunshots could be heard regularly.

Listen to this scumbag cheer as the squad is getting shot up https://t.co/Z2maxoFG6c

— Frederick Frazier (@Frazier7324) June 13, 2015

It took some time, but the heavy vehicle was eventually cornered in a restaurant carpark.

It took another piece of specialist military hardware to disable the vehicle: A heavy anti-vehicle 0.50 calibre sniper rifle sent an armour-piercing round through its engine block.

James Boulware was not amenable to negotiations.

Officers are very lucky no one was injured #DPDattack pic.twitter.com/tTqrBJfeEv

— Dallas Police Assoc (@DPA_PoliceAssoc) June 13, 2015

Police, who say they feared the van was packed with explosives, unleashed their heavy artillery again: This time shooting through the armoured front windshield to kill the suspect.

A robot was sent forward to confirm Boulware’s death and examine the vehicle.

Several hours later, set the van on fire to destroy any hidden explosives.

Fiery end ... The armoured van used to attack and then flee Dallas Police Headquarters catches fire outside a fast food restaurant. Source: AFP