LeBron James, Mark Cuban, athletes react to Dallas police shooting

LeBron James, Kevin Durant and other sports figures have called for a stop to the violence that has dominated the headlines this week after five police officers were shot and killed in Dallas on Thursday.

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After five police officers were shot and killed in Dallas on Thursday night, many sports figures posted their reactions on social media, calling for a stop to the violence that has dominated the headlines this week. 

A protest in response to the recent police killings of black men Alton Sterling and Philando Castile turned violent when snipers took aim at police officers. A total of 12 officers were shot, leaving five dead and seven injured. Two civilians were also wounded in the gunfire.

One suspect was killed after a shootout with police, and three additional suspects are in custody.

Sterling was killed on Tuesday after being shot multiple times by police responding to a 911 call. Castile died on Wednesday after a police officer shot him during a traffic stop. Both killings were recorded on video and widely circulated on social media.

Dallas Mavericks star Dirk Nowitzki wrote on Twitter that he was “still in shock,” and Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony posted a long message on Instagram calling for other athletes to be outspoken about social issues.

• LeBron James: Philando Castile shooting ‘sickens me’

Athletes and other sports figures responded to the latest violent incident on social media.

Dallas,we mourn those who lost their lives protecting us and stand together, united, to cherish those we live and work next to #DallasStrong

— Mark Cuban (@mcuban) July 8, 2016

I love the city of Dallas. #DallasStrong

— Mark Cuban (@mcuban) July 8, 2016

We are all hurting tonight. More violence is not the answer. #StoptheViolence

— LeBron James (@KingJames) July 8, 2016

Another black man killed

Another young black kid without a dad

Think about that for a second.

— Kevin Durant (@KDTrey5) July 8, 2016

Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of downtown Dallas.

— Texas Rangers (@Rangers) July 8, 2016

Deepest sympathies to all those affected in Dallas tonight. Our thoughts and prayers are with DART PD and Dallas PD.

— Dallas Stars (@DallasStars) July 8, 2016

Praying for this world my kids gotta grow up in...I'll die for them, won't let the streets or the (social) media raise them.That's on God 🙏🏾

— Anthony Morrow (@MrAnthonyMorrow) July 8, 2016

Whole lotta hate out here...and in the grand scheme of things it's for no reason..

— Spencer Dinwiddie (@SDinwiddie_25) July 8, 2016

Please be safe Dallas #StoptheViolence

— Jason "The Jet" Terry (@jasonterry31) July 8, 2016

• Kaepernick on Alton Sterling shooting: ‘What lynchings look like in 2016’

Parents this is a teaching moment to your kids. Speak into their hearts & minds and allow them to know how & why hatred & racism is WRONG!

— COACH PRIME (@DeionSanders) July 8, 2016

pic.twitter.com/j0364siOgU

— Ray Lewis (@raylewis) July 8, 2016

Before you go to sleep tonight, I challenge every single one of you to do something nice for a complete stranger. Our world needs that.

— Bo Jackson (@BoJackson) July 8, 2016

What is this country becoming? Seems like every night something crazy is happening. There needs to be a solution, its getting out of control

— Jason Richardson (@jrich23) July 8, 2016

Returning violence for violence multiplies violence, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars... -Dr. MLK

— Andrew Hawkins (@Hawk) July 8, 2016

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A post shared by Matt Barnes (@matt_barnes9)

Praying for Peace✌🏼️✌🏽✌🏾✌🏿we need to stop all this...sad to see all that is happening!!! I wanna hope this is all a bad dream...it ain't😡

— Shane Victorino (@ShaneVictorino) July 8, 2016

Pray for my hometown. #prayforDallas.

— ダルビッシュ有(Yu Darvish) (@faridyu) July 8, 2016

People. Please end the violence. Enough is enough. We are all humans. We all deserve the right to live happily! https://t.co/8jITUokPJq

— Chris Iannetta (@Chris_Iannetta) July 8, 2016

Hurting for Dallas right now. It seems like we wake up or go to sleep reading more tragedies than not.I want to wake up from this nightmare.

— Alex Morgan (@alexmorgan13) July 8, 2016

I'm hurting for them too.Alton Sterling. Philando Castile. Michael Brown. Freddie Gray. Tamir Rice.The list goes on. https://t.co/lpPhId3c4E

— Alex Morgan (@alexmorgan13) July 8, 2016

Bo knows. https://t.co/u9PzgHFFLK

— Lance Armstrong (@lancearmstrong) July 8, 2016

#stoptheviolence

— P.K. Subban (@PKSubban1) July 8, 2016

• Athletes react to Philando Castile shooting by police

The recent violence has sparked a renewed discussion on police violence and race. 

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick called Sterling’s death a modern-day lynching, a label Castile’s sister Alize also used for her brother’s death, according to CBS.

- Erin Flynn