Garland Residents Fear What's Next After Attack
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GARLAND(CBSDFW.COM) - Garland's Culwell Events Center has hosted everything from stock shows to commencement. But, it was a contest offering prizes for caricatures of the prophet Muhammad that was met with violence.
"You're antagonizing," says Jimmy George, a long time Garland resident. "You're increasing the flames. It gets hot. And we need to let things calm down."
George is relieved that no one attending the controversial event Sunday was killed—but, wonders what if the gunman hadn't stopped at guns.
"It could have been…" He pauses as his mind fills with awful thoughts that he'd rather avoid. "That sends chills up my spine just thinking about it."
As a precaution, extra security was visible at nearby Naaman Forest High School Monday. Students had planned to take advanced placement tests at the center. In spite of the heavy security, school leaders told CBS11 that 25% of students at the school were absent Monday, an unusually high rate.
"Lots of students are scared," says Mariah Mendoza, "it's like, are we gonna be safe in the future there?"
Supporters of the The American Freedom Defense Initiative argue that the organization has the right to host an event that many viewed as provocative, provided it breaks no laws. But, residents like George question at what cost, when considering the very real threat of terrorism.
"It's changing our world everyday… it's changing our world and we don't need the world to change like that."
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