Garland, Texas, Shooting Suspect Identified As Elton Simpson (UPDATED)

One Texas Shooting Suspect Identified
|

Authorities have identified one of the suspects in Sunday night's shooting in Garland, Texas.

The suspected gunman, Elton Simpson, was the subject of a previous terror investigation, ABC News reports, citing a senior FBI official.

The New York Times and CNN confirmed the news, citing a federal law enforcement source.

The FBI and local authorities conducted a search of Simpson's home early Monday. The other suspect is thought to be Simpson's roommate, according to ABC.

On Sunday evening, two men fired toward the Curtis Culwell Center where the Muhammad Art Exhibit and Contest was taking place. Security guard Bruce Joiner was shot in the lower leg and suffered non-life-threatening injuries.

The two gunmen were then shot and killed by authorities.

The Muhammad Art Exhibit and Contest was organized by Pamela Geller, president of the American Freedom Defense Initiative, an anti-Islamic organization that is listed as a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center. The contest offered a $10,000 prize for the best depiction of Muhammad, NBC News reports.

The federal law enforcement source told CNN that Simpson apparently sent out a tweet just minutes before the shooting with the hashtag #texasattack.

Simpson was convicted in 2011 of making a false statement involving international and domestic terrorism and sentenced to three years of probation, CNN reports.

At the scene of the shooting, police detonated the suspects' car as a precaution, according to WFAA.

UPDATE: At a morning press conference, authorities declined to name either of the suspects in the shooting. But law enforcement officials granted anonymity by the Washington Post said the second shooter was Nadir Soofi, 34, Simpson’s roommate.

Our 2024 Coverage Needs You

As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.

Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.

to keep our news free for all.

Support HuffPost