Two gunmen were shot and killed by Garland police officers around 7 p.m., near the end of Sunday’s Draw the Prophet event at the Curtis Culwell Center. The gunmen exited their vehicle close to the entrance of the event center and opened fire on unarmed Garland ISD Security Officer Bruce Joiner.
Garland police on the scene heard the gunfire and rushed to the area where they shot and killed the gunmen.
Joiner was fortunately not seriously injured, receiving what was described as a superficial wound to his ankle. He was transported to the hospital, treated and released.
Organized by the American Freedom Defense Initiative, the event was held in response to the Stand with the Prophet conference denouncing Islamophobia, which was held at the Curtis Culwell Center in January and the attack by three gunmen in Paris that ended in the death of 12 Charlie Hebdo employees.
The event included a contest with a $10,000 first place prize going to the person who created the best cartoon image of Muhammad. Any image of the prophet is offensive to Muslims.
AFDI members, along with the organization’s president Pamela Geller, contend that the event was about free speech. Others believed it to be about prejudice and hate.
The event had caused concerns in the community and prompted citizens to address both the GISD Board of Trustees and the Garland City Council to request that the event not be held here.
A bomb unit, complete with robots, is currently on the scene to thoroughly check the gunmen’s car for explosive devices. The gunmen’s bodies have not been moved because of the possibility of bombs or booby traps. There is no specific threat of explosives, but police are exercising extreme caution.
The 200 event attendees were first moved to the interior of the center then evacuated. Several nearby businesses were evacuated as well.
GPD was well-prepared for potential violence at the event. Extra security had been employed by the school district and Pamela Geller.
Police do not yet have information on the identity of the gunmen.