ISIS Horn Attacks Babylon (Dan 8:8)

\

IS claims US Prophet cartoon attack

BBC NEWS

FBI agent examines car used by gunmen outside the centre in Garland. FBI agent examines car used by gunmen outside the centre in Garland. 4 May 2015

Islamic State (IS) has said that it was behind the attack on a Prophet Muhammad cartoon contest in the US state of Texas.

It said that “two soldiers of the caliphate” carried out the attack at a conference centre near Dallas.

IS’s al-Bayan Radio news bulletin said the exhibition “was portraying negative pictures of the Prophet Muhammad”.

Both suspects were shot dead after opening fire at the contest on Sunday.

Correspondents say that it is believed to be the first time that IS has claimed to have carried out an attack in the US.

“We tell America that what is coming will be even bigger and more bitter, and that you will see the soldiers of the Islamic State do terrible things,” the statement released by the group said.

Court documents have shown that one of two gunmen shot dead had been a terror suspect.

Elton Simpson had been under surveillance since 2006 and was convicted in 2010 for lying to FBI agents about plans to go to Somalia to engage in violent jihad, or holy war, the files reveal.

A judge found him guilty of making a false statement and he was sentenced to three years’ probation and a $600 (£400) fine.

The judge ruled that there was insufficient evidence that the false statement involved international terrorism.

He had shared a flat in Arizona with the person named by officials as the other alleged gunman, Nadir Soofi.

On Monday, FBI agents searched their home in Phoenix and a white van parked outside.

‘Gonna make it to the battlefield’

The court documents also showed that Simpson had been under investigation since 2006 because of his association with an individual the FBI believed was trying to set up a terrorist cell in Arizona.

Simpson had told an informant in 2009 that it was “time to go to Somalia”, adding: “We gonna make it to the battlefield.”

He later said he was planning to travel to South Africa and then on to Somalia.

The incident on Sunday unfolded when a car drove into the car park of the Curtis Culwell Center in Garland, a city near Dallas, where a Muhammad Art Exhibition organised by the controversial American Freedom Defense Initiative (AFDI) was being held.

The conference included a contest that offered a $10,000 (£6,600) prize for a cartoon of the Prophet Muhammad. Depictions of Muhammad are offensive to many Muslims.

The two men in the car opened fire with assault rifles on two security officers, Garland police said.

One of the officers, a traffic policeman, returned fire and killed both gunmen.

The AFDI is run by controversial blogger and activist Pamela Geller who said she was standing up for free speech, adding: “This terrible incident reflects the need for such conferences.”