Before The Gunfire, There Was Peace

Follow CBSDFW.COM: Facebook | Twitter

DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) - An image taken just minutes before chaos broke out in Downtown Dallas on Thursday night captured the calm before a sniper's storm of bullets.

Ebony Smith and her young daughters were at the rally at Belo Park when the gunshots erupted, killing five officers and injuring several others.

"I just wanted to cover my children, I wanted to protect them and I felt bad as a parent for putting them in that type of situation," said Smith.

But Smith said it is what happened a moment before the area erupted in gunfire that she will never forget.

"He drove up there and waited for them to come to give her that rose. It meant that much to him for her to have it," said Smith

It was a simple gesture.

Smith said a Dallas police officer took the time to stop and give her 5-year-old daughter a white flower.

"I hope they remember that moment. I hope they remember that flower and not the gunshots," said Smith.

The next day, Smith felt compelled to share the image on social media.

"I hope they see what the interaction is with most police officers and civilians looks like," said Smith.

(©2016 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)