Dallas sniper shootings: US TV show Shooter postponed amid ongoing racial violence

As tensions between citizens and police continue to escalate across America following the Dallas shootings a US TV drama about a sniper has been postponed. It was announced on Wednesday (12 July) that Shooter, which stars Ryan Phillippe as an expert marksman, would no longer air on 19 July.

On 8 July five police officers were killed by a sniper with a military background in Dallas, marking the deadliest single attack on US law enforcement officers since 9/11 in 2001. The retaliatory attack followed the deaths of Baton Rouge resident Alton Sterling and Philando Castile in Minnesota at the hand of officers.

Co-star Eddie McClintock tweeted that the drama starring Ryan Phillippe as an expert marksman living in exile who is coaxed back into action after learning of a plot to kill the president – will not premiere until July 26, "as a show of respect, and to honour the fallen officers of Dallas, Texas".

The 10-part series, which was ordered in February and stars Omar Epps, is based on the best-selling novel Point of Impact, by Stephen Hunter. The lead role was made famous by Mark Wahlberg in the 2007 film of the name. Wahlberg is an executive producer on the show.

A spokesperson for the USA Network told the Hollywood Reporter: "In light of recent tragic events and out of respect for the victims, their families and our viewers, we have decided to postpone the premiere date for the upcoming USA Network series Shooter to July 26."