Residents Warned Of Danger Days Before Controversial Drawing Contest
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GARLAND (CBSDFW.COM) - Just days before a shooting took place outside a controversial drawing contest at the Culwell Center in Garland, a group of residents came forward and publicly warned Garland ISD school board members about the potential dangers.
Investigators said two men pulled up to the "Muhammad Art Exhibit and Contest" with guns and were set on killing multiple people. A Garland police officer hired for security ended up shooting both men according to investigators.
But some residents said on Monday the events could have been prevented.
"I ask you to cancel the event in an effort to protect police and citizens," said Lee Lutz on April 28th at a GISD board meeting.
A few days later, her greatest fear came true.
"It's not about, 'I told you.' It's about common sense," said Lutz on Monday.
Lutz spent years working in the Middle East in the 70s and knows first-hand how offensive drawing the prophet Muhammed is to Muslims. She and others said by allowing the event, GISD put many in danger.
"It could have been so much worse. We could have been talking about hundreds of lives that were lost," said Dorothy Brooks.
Brooks also spoke out on April 28th at the GISD meeting.
"The cartoon contest fails to represent the mission of GISD," Brooks said to board members.
Brooks said on Monday that it is now up to the district to make changes.
"I regret what transpired at that event took place," said Chris Moore, spokesperson for GISD.
Moore said local law enforcement groups never detected a threat prior to the event. HE said since GISD used state and Federal funds to build the Culwell Center, he said they cannot discriminate groups.
"Unfortunately the burden fell on our police department who were exceptional," said Lutz.
She now wants the district to apologize.
"I think they're responsible for putting on an event or allowing an event that triggered violence. And that the event does in fact represent a degree of hate that we wouldn't want in our community," said Lutz.
Garland ISD said school board members are now looking to state and federal officials as to how to prevent certain events that draw so much controversy.
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