Breaking: Gunfire Reported At Anti-Islam Event At Garland ISD Facility (TX)
May 3, 2015
A spokesman for Garland ISD has confirmed that gunfire was reported at an anti-Islam event at the Curtis Culwell Center in Garland ISD.
Police believe two people were shot outside the facility where an art show centering on caricatures of Muhammad was being held, KXAS-TV (NBC5) said.
There were reports that an officer was involved in the shootings, and police had sealed the doors to the center as SWAT personnel responded to the incident.
No one was being allowed to leave the facility, and Garland police were working to secure the area. Nearby businesses, including a Walmart and Sam's Club, were evacuated.
Authorities extended a perimeter 2,000 feet around the Culwell Center, and they were investigating a vehicle within that zone.
Reports of the incident began to develop shortly before 7, when the event had been scheduled to conclude. A speaker had finished his presentation shortly after 6:30 p.m. Throughout the event, there had been no notable protests, despite its controversial nature.
Opponents had said the American Freedom Defense Initiative's Muhammad Art Exhibit and Contest on Sunday would be an attack on Islam. But its organizers said they were simply exercising their right of expression.
The contest, which was offering a top prize of $10,000, has received about 350 entries depicting Muhammad. Caricatures of the Islamic prophet are considered offensive by many Muslims.
In January, a French newspaper that published such cartoons was attacked by terrorists and 12 people died.
As part of its contract with the district, the American Freedom Defense Initiative has paid $10,000 for extra security - nearly $50 for each of about 200 tickets that have been purchased so far. That cost doesn't include private security the group is employing.
More details to come.
