FBI warned local police gunmen had interest in Texas cartoon event

The Federal Bureau of Investigation warned police in Garland, Texas, about three hours before a shooting at an exhibit of caricatures of the Prophet Mohammad that a gunman who launched a failed attack was interested in the event, FBI Director James Comey said on Thursday.

The FBI issued a bulletin to the police department saying Elton Simpson had an interest in the event held in the Dallas suburb but gave no indication that he planned an attack, Comey told reporters in Washington, according to an FBI spokesman.

Garland police were not immediately available for comment.

Authorities said roommates Simpson and Nadir Soofi of Phoenix were fatally shot by a police officer when they opened fire with assault rifles outside the cartoon event organized by a group that had sponsored anti-Islamic campaigns.

An unarmed security guard suffered a minor wound.

Tags

Prophet Mohammad, FBI, Elton Simpson

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