PD: No FBI Warning Of Threat Before Garland Shooting
GARLAND (CBSDFW.COM) - Garland Police say they had no advance warnings that could have prevented the May 3 shootings outside Culwell Center, where a Muhammed art cartoon contest was being held.
The men, identified at Elton Simpson and Nadir Soofi, had three automatic weapons, two pistols and hundreds of rounds of ammunition. They were gunned down before they could enter the building, where law enforcement believes they intended to carry out a mass shooting.
In the days following the shooting, the FBI reported it had sent an advance warning to Garland Police, naming Simpson as a potential threat to the event three hours before the shooting.
Garland Police Chief Bates said the FBI did issue a bulletin two days prior to the Muhammad exhibit, saying there were no known credible threats, but the event was a potential target. Bates said the general information bulletin email did not define Simpson as a threat.
"We had no information from the FBI that Elton Simpson or anyone else post a threat to our event," said Bates.
Bates also disclosed that 40 Garland officers were added to the security detail for the event. Five of those officers opened fire on the two suspects. The first officer to see and shoot at the suspects is credited for killing them.
The names of the officers involved have not been released, due to continuing threats, according to Bates. Police also continue to monitor social media for any future potential threats against the department and the community.
