Texas’ second in command, Lt Gov Dan Patrick, spoke out against protesters who ran for cover from sniper fire that halted a peaceful protest against police brutality – leaving five Dallas police officers dead in its wake.

“All those protesters last night, they turned around and ran the other way expecting the men and women in blue to protect them. What hypocrites!” Mr Patrick said during an emotional interview on Fox News.

The lieutenant governor, who is also a conservative radio talk show host, suggested that protests against police brutality create an environment that places officers at risk.

“I do blame people on social media with their hatred towards police. I do do blame former Black Lives Matter protests. ... This has to stop,” he continued. “ You can't go out on social media and mainstream media and everywhere else and say that the police are racists, the police are hateful, the police are killers. …

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“I am sick and tired of those who are protesting our police and putting their lives in danger.”

Gov Greg Abbott took a calmer approach to speaking about the Thursday night shooting, calling for unity after Dallas.

Police officers killed by sniper at protests in Dallas Show all 20 1 /20 Police officers killed by sniper at protests in Dallas Police officers killed by sniper at protests in Dallas A Dallas Area Rapid Transit police officer receives comfort at the Baylor University Hospital emergency room entrance in Dallas Dallas Morning News/AP Police officers killed by sniper at protests in Dallas Emergency services help an unknown patient on a stretcher as law enforcement officials stand nearby at the emergency receiving area of Baylor University Medical Center AP Police officers killed by sniper at protests in Dallas Dallas Police shield bystanders after shots were fired, during a protest over two recent fatal police shootings of black men AP Police officers killed by sniper at protests in Dallas Bystanders run for cover after shots fired at a Black Live Matter rally in downtown Dallas AP Police officers killed by sniper at protests in Dallas Police check a car after snipers opened fire on police officers in Dallas AP Police officers killed by sniper at protests in Dallas A man raises his hands as he walks near a law enforcement officer, following the shootings of several police officers in downtown Dallas AP Police officers killed by sniper at protests in Dallas A Dallas police officer steps out of a vehicle as he arrives in front of Baylor University Medical Center AP Police officers killed by sniper at protests in Dallas Dallas police officers face protesters on the corner of Ross Ave. and Griffin street after police officers were shot during a peaceful protest in Dallas EPA Police officers killed by sniper at protests in Dallas A Dallas police officer covers his face as he stands with others outside the emergency room at Baylor University Medical Center AP Police officers killed by sniper at protests in Dallas Law enforcement officials escort a couple in through the emergency room entrance at Baylor University Medical Center AP Police officers killed by sniper at protests in Dallas Dallas Police respond after shots were fired at a Black Lives Matter rally in downtown Dallas AP Police officers killed by sniper at protests in Dallas Dallas Police respond after shots were fired at a Black Lives Matter rally in downtown Dallas AP Police officers killed by sniper at protests in Dallas Police cars sit on Main Street in Dallas following the sniper shooting during a protest AFP/Getty Images Police officers killed by sniper at protests in Dallas A Police officer stands guard at a barricade following the sniper shooting in Dallas AFP/Getty Images Police officers killed by sniper at protests in Dallas Police stand near a barricade following the sniper shooting in Dallas AFP/Getty Images Police officers killed by sniper at protests in Dallas Dallas police check a car after detaining a driver after a shooting in downtown Dallas AP Police officers killed by sniper at protests in Dallas Dallas police order people away from the area after several police were shot in downtown Dallas AP Police officers killed by sniper at protests in Dallas Dallas police move to detains a driver after several police officers were shot in downtown Dallas AP Police officers killed by sniper at protests in Dallas Dallas police detain a driver after several police officers were shot in downtown Dallas AP Police officers killed by sniper at protests in Dallas Dallas Police respond after shots were fired at a Black Lives Matter rally in downtown Dallas Dallas Morning News/AP

“Every life matters. With each innocent life lost, we lose more of our humanity,” he said in an open letter published on the Dallas Morning News site. “It is time for us to unite as Texas, as Americans, to say no more.”

President Barack Obama addressed the attack on the officers during his visit to Poland, calling it “vicious” and “calculated”.

“I speak for every single American when I say that we are horrified over these events, and that we stand united with the people and the police department in Dallas,” Mr Obama said.