Last night, two gunmen were killed after firing on a security guard outside of a “Draw Mohammed” free speech event in Garland, Texas.
Bruce Joiner, the Garland ISD security officer who was shot in the attack, was hospitalized with an ankle wound but released last night.
CNN has a good condensed timeline of events:
The men drove up to the Curtis Culwell Center in North Garland, got out of their car and began shooting just as the “Muhammad Art Exhibit and Cartoon Contest” inside was ending around 7 p.m. (8 p.m. ET).An unarmed security guard, Bruce Joiner, was shot in the ankle. He was later treated and released from a hospital.Garland police, who were helping with security, fired back, killing both gunmen. The exchange lasted about 15 seconds, police said.“The first suspect was shot immediately,” Garland Mayor Douglas Athas told CNN. “The second suspect was wounded and reached for his backpack. He was shot again.”The gunmen’s identities weren’t immediately released.”We have no other indication that anyone else was involved,” Athas said.Early Monday morning, FBI and local officials were checking the gunmen’s vehicle for explosives and the area around the center was blocked off.Surrounding businesses, including a Walmart, were evacuated, as were attendees from the Curtis Culwell Center.There is no immediate threat to the area, police said; the check for explosives was a precautionary measure.”It’s a very slow, tedious operation that goes on,” Garland police spokesman Joe Harn said.
The AP has audio and video from the scene:
The news started flowing from the scene faster than traditional MSM tactics could release it:
Soon after officials began checking for explosives, those still in the area heard…something:
The City of Garland responded soon after the shooting:
Texas Governor Greg Abbott also released a statement:
“Texas officials are actively investigating to determine the cause and scope of the senseless attack in Garland, Texas. This is a crime that was quickly ended thanks to the swift action by Garland law enforcement. Our thoughts and prayers remain with all those affected tonight.”
Twitter immediately spoke up to defend free speech (though not, necessarily, the event itself):
Then, of course, there’s this, which embodies “missing the point completely”:
(FYI, this particular reporter isn’t particularly consistent in her opinions of provocative art.)
The Daily Mail has a great collection of photographs, which you can see here. We’ll keep you posted on any updates out of Garland.
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