Mother Of Garland Shooter: "I'm Thankful He Didn't Kill Anybody"
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HOUSTON (CBS 11 NEWS) - For the first time since two suspects were shot and killed after opening fire outside the Curtis Culwell Center in Garland on Sunday, the mother of one of the shooters is speaking out.
Sharon Soofi says her 34-year-old son, Nadir Soofi, was a devout Muslim, but she never expected he would be described as a radicalized member of the faith. "He just tried to make people understand Islam, because it's so misunderstood."
♦♦♦ Watch Part 1 Of The UNEDITED Interview With Sharon Soofi ♦♦♦
Soofi says it was her son's roommate, the second named shooter Elton Simpson, who influenced her son to do what he did. She believes he was "brainwashed" by Simpson. Members of Simpson's family have said they are "heartbroken" about the attack, and had no idea their family member had planned any type of attack.
♦♦♦ Watch Part 2 Of The UNEDITED Interview With Sharon Soofi ♦♦♦
Speaking about her son's relationship with Simpson, Sharon Soofi, who now lives in the Houston area, said, "I tried to warn him 'please be very careful of who you get involved with at the mosque.' You never know if it's an extremist like this or the FBI trying to sting somebody."
Nadir Soofi was a North Texas native. His mother showed his birth certificate from Dallas' Presbyterian Hospital. According to her they lived in Garland for a short time. "This is just so ironic this is where he would end up dying. I'm thankful he didn't kill anybody, and I don't blame the police man that shot and killed him. He was just doing his job."
♦♦♦ Watch Part 3 Of The UNEDITED Interview With Sharon Soofi ♦♦♦
Sharon Soofi said her son's Pakistani father raised him as a Muslim. Her son also leaves behind an 8-year-old son.
The shooting happened while an event sponsored by Pamela Geller, an online blogger and head of the American Freedom Defense Initiative, was being held. The gathering featured the "First Annual Muhammad Art Exhibit and Contest."
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