Police shot dead two gunmen Sunday outside a Prophet Mohammed cartoon contest in Texas attended by controversial Dutch far-right politician Geert Wilders, authorities said.
While no immediate claim of responsibility was made, similar depictions of the Prophet Mohammed prompted a shooting at French satirical weekly Charlie Hebdo in January that killed 12.
US authorities are investigating the shooting and police said it was still unclear if the attack was related to the event.
The right-wing American Freedom Defense Initiative (AFDI) organized the event in a suburb of Dallas, featuring Wilders, who has been outspoken against Muslims and is targeted by radical groups.
Police said two men drove up to the conference center in Garland, Texas, and began shooting at a security guard.
"Garland Police officers engaged the gunmen, who were both shot and killed," the city of Garland said in a statement.
The security guard was shot in the ankle and was treated at a hospital and released, the city said.
Local police said the shootout lasted "seconds," and organizers said they had prepared extra security for the event due to the general risk of an attack.
Wilders has also long been targeted by Islamists because of his extreme views on Islam.
"I am shocked. I just spoke for half an hour about the cartoons, Islam and freedom of speech and I had just left the premises," Wilder told AFP in an email.
"This is an attack on the liberties of all of us!" Wilders wrote, adding: "I hope it is not connected to death list (of) Al-Qaeda." He added that he was safe with police.
The Dutch politician said he is returning to the Netherlands Monday but would come back to the United States next week for another speaking engagement.
Prophet Mohammed cartoons
Many Muslims find depictions of the Prophet Mohammed offensive and such cartoons have triggered violent protests. The Danish daily Jyllands-Posten published 12 satirical cartoons in 2005, triggering deadly protests in some Muslim countries.
Cartoon images of the Prophet Mohammed were also published in French satirical weekly Charlie Hebdo, where Islamist gunmen killed 12 people in January.
The identities of Sunday's shooters has yet to be confirmed, but the SITE Intelligence Group reported that an Islamic State (IS) fighter claimed on Twitter that the shooting was carried out by two pro-IS individuals.
In a series of tweets and links, a jihadist named as Abu Hussain AlBritani, which SITE said was British IS fighter Junaid Hussain, claimed that "2 of our brothers just opened fire" at the Prophet Muhammad exhibition in Texas.
"They Thought They Was Safe In Texas From The Soldiers of The Islamic State," added the tweet.
About 200 people were inside the event, said local police spokesman Police spokesman Joe Harn.
He said the first suspect was shot dead immediately, while the second was shot after reaching for his backpack.
Police said they suspect the gunmen's vehicle may contain an "incendiary device" and a bomb squad was on the scene.
"The bodies are still outside near the car. Once that car is cleared then we'll take care of the bodies," he told reporters.
AFDI, criticized for promoting anti-Islamic views, offered a $10,000 prize for the winner of the cartoon contest that was billed as a "free speech" event.
AFDI co-founder and political activist Pamela Geller called the shootings a "war on free speech."
"What are we going to do? Are we going to surrender to these monsters?" she wrote on her website.
"The war is here."
Speaking to Fox News, she added: "The idea we are going to bridge our freedom, our most basic inalienable right in order to not offend savages is egregious, it is outrageous.
AFP
Mon May 04 2015
![Two dead at US Mohammed cartoon event Two dead at US Mohammed cartoon event](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2015-05/41430729669_295x200.jpg)
A picture courtesy of Dutch Member of Parliament Geert Wilders shows members of a US SWAT team posing for a photo with Geert Wilders (C) prior to the shooting in Texas. - AFP PHOTO / HAND OUT
![Hari Kebangsaan: Tidak berkira hias rumah, kereta sejak 24 tahun lepas Hari Kebangsaan: Tidak berkira hias rumah, kereta sejak 24 tahun lepas](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-08/81723628328_TBKandapan.jpg)
Hari Kebangsaan: Tidak berkira hias rumah, kereta sejak 24 tahun lepas
Kandapan juga cukup terkenal dengan keretanya yang turut dihiasi Jalur Gemilang, bendera Johor dan semua negeri serta pelbagai pelekat imej bertemakan kemerdekaan termasuk wajah pemimpin negara.
![Malaysia kekal destinasi utama bagi pelaburan PTTEP - BMI Malaysia kekal destinasi utama bagi pelaburan PTTEP - BMI](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2021-02/81613025046_TBPelantarMinyak.jpg)
Malaysia kekal destinasi utama bagi pelaburan PTTEP - BMI
Malaysia akan kekal sebagai destinasi utama bagi pelaburan syarikat minyak nasional Thailand, PTT Exploration and Production (PTTEP), dalam jangka masa pendek dan panjang.
Jualan penyaman udara naik mendadak di negara Balkan
Menetap di negara sejuk, mereka tidak pernah terfikir memasang penyaman udara di dalam rumah memandangkan musim panas bukanlah setiap hari. Namun, cuaca panas melampau membuatkan mereka bertukar fikiran.
![Malaysia kecam sekeras-kerasnya pencerobohan ekstremis Zionis Israel ke atas Masjid Al-Aqsa Malaysia kecam sekeras-kerasnya pencerobohan ekstremis Zionis Israel ke atas Masjid Al-Aqsa](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-01/61706688348_wismaputra.jpg)
Malaysia kecam sekeras-kerasnya pencerobohan ekstremis Zionis Israel ke atas Masjid Al-Aqsa
Kerajaan Malaysia mengecam sekeras-kerasnya pencerobohan Masjid Al-Aqsa oleh ekstremis Zionis Israel pada 13 Ogos.
![Reda dengan pemergian anak walaupun bukan pengakhiran diharapkan - Ayah Nidza Afham Reda dengan pemergian anak walaupun bukan pengakhiran diharapkan - Ayah Nidza Afham](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-08/61723653359_TBMOKHTAR.jpg)
Reda dengan pemergian anak walaupun bukan pengakhiran diharapkan - Ayah Nidza Afham
Ayah kepada penyanyi dan Youtubers Muhammad Nidza Afham Mokhtar reda dengan pemergian anak lelakinya walaupun itu bukan pengakhiran yang beliau harapkan.
Ahli perniagaan diberkas, terlibat dalam aktiviti kumpulan mafia
Seorang ahli perniagaan Itali ditangkap di bandar Natal, Brazil pada selasa.
Giuseppe Bruno kini menghadapi tuduhan termasuk melakukan pemerasan dan pengubahan wang haram dan juga penglibatan bersama kumpulan mafia.
Giuseppe Bruno kini menghadapi tuduhan termasuk melakukan pemerasan dan pengubahan wang haram dan juga penglibatan bersama kumpulan mafia.
Srettha hormati keputusan mahkamah
Srettha Thavisin menghormati keputusan Mahkamah Perlembagaan Thailand yang memecatnya daripada jawatan Perdana Menteri.
Lahir empat hari lepas, bayi kembar maut angkara serangan rejim Zionis
Kembar lelaki diberikan nama Asser manakala Ayssel pula nama diberi buat kembar perempuan, kedua-duanya lahir pada 10 Ogos lepas.
Lelaki tikam ibu saudara direman tujuh hari
Seorang lelaki yang disyaki menikam ibu saudaranya di kepala dengan gunting, semalam direman selama tujuh hari hingga 21 Ogos ini.
PN senarai pendek tiga calon, akan diumum selepas PRK Nenggiri
Perikatan Nasional telah menyenarai pendek tiga calon untuk bertanding pada Pilihan Raya Kecil (PRK) Dewan Undangan Negeri (DUN) Mahkota yang dijadualkan berlangsung pada 28 September depan.
![Kerajaan disaran kaji semula kontrak bekalan alat ketenteraan dari Perancis Kerajaan disaran kaji semula kontrak bekalan alat ketenteraan dari Perancis](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2019-02/71549900493_Scorpene.jpg)
Kerajaan disaran kaji semula kontrak bekalan alat ketenteraan dari Perancis
Akhramsyah berpendapat tindakan itu dikhuatiri akan membahayakan negara jika rakan kongsi negara berkenaan terus mengamalkan sikap anti Islam.
![Pendirian Macron sukarkan proses perdamaian kaum, Islamofobia - Penganalisis Pendirian Macron sukarkan proses perdamaian kaum, Islamofobia - Penganalisis](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2020-10/81603970152_knifeattack.jpg)
Pendirian Macron sukarkan proses perdamaian kaum, Islamofobia - Penganalisis
Pendekatan Presiden, Emmanuel Macron yang dilihat menekankan nilai permusuhan dan Islamofobia, menyukarkan lagi jalan perdamaian.
![Presiden Perancis Emmanuel Macron tidak bertamadun - Tun M Presiden Perancis Emmanuel Macron tidak bertamadun - Tun M](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2020-10/61603972189_sidangmedia.jpg)
Presiden Perancis Emmanuel Macron tidak bertamadun - Tun M
Dr Mahathir menegaskan, Perancis harus mendidik rakyatnya agar menghormati perasaan orang lain.
![Dua terbunuh dalam serangan di sebuah gereja di Nice, Perancis Dua terbunuh dalam serangan di sebuah gereja di Nice, Perancis](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2020-10/81603970152_knifeattack.jpg)
Dua terbunuh dalam serangan di sebuah gereja di Nice, Perancis
Dua individu dilaporkan maut dalam satu kejadian serangan di sebuah gereja di bandaraya Nice, Perancis pada Khamis.
![Karikatur nabi: Jangan ambil tindakan luar batasan agama, undang-undang - Jakim Karikatur nabi: Jangan ambil tindakan luar batasan agama, undang-undang - Jakim](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2020-10/51603948105_AbdulAzizJusoh.jpg)
Karikatur nabi: Jangan ambil tindakan luar batasan agama, undang-undang - Jakim
Datuk Abdul Aziz Jusoh berkata ini kerana tindakan itu dibimbangi boleh mencetuskan suasana tidak harmoni antara penganut berbilang agama di negara ini.
![Macron tidak hormat kebebasan beragama, bersifat perkauman - NGO Macron tidak hormat kebebasan beragama, bersifat perkauman - NGO](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2020-10/81603941607_EmmanuelMacron.jpg)
Macron tidak hormat kebebasan beragama, bersifat perkauman - NGO
Menerusi satu kenyataan bersama, mereka menegaskan rakyat Malaysia perlu untuk bangkit bersama menunjukkan bantahan mengikut ruang lingkup undang-undang.
![Malaysia kecam sekeras-kerasnya ucapan benci dan fitnah Islam Malaysia kecam sekeras-kerasnya ucapan benci dan fitnah Islam](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2020-10/41603836930_burnrepresentaFren.jpg)
Malaysia kecam sekeras-kerasnya ucapan benci dan fitnah Islam
Malaysia menjunjung hak kebebasan bersuara serta hak asasi manusia selagi mana ia digunakan secara bertanggungjawab dan penuh hormat, sekali gus tidak menafikan serta melanggar hak pihak lain.
![Hina Islam: Pas seru umat Islam boikot barangan buatan Perancis Hina Islam: Pas seru umat Islam boikot barangan buatan Perancis](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2020-10/61603796352_HadiawangKonvensy.jpg)
Hina Islam: Pas seru umat Islam boikot barangan buatan Perancis
Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang menyeru umat Islam memboikot barangan buatan Perancis bagi menunjukkan solidariti terhadap Islam dan kemajmukan beragama dalam masyarakat.
![Isu karikatur Nabi Muhammad: Dr Zulkifli titip surat kepada duta Perancis Isu karikatur Nabi Muhammad: Dr Zulkifli titip surat kepada duta Perancis](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2020-06/41591490908_ZulkifliMohamad.jpg)
Isu karikatur Nabi Muhammad: Dr Zulkifli titip surat kepada duta Perancis
Dr Zulkifli menulis surat khusus berhubung isu karikatur Nabi Muhammad SAW oleh Charlie Hebdo kepada Duta Perancis di Malaysia.
![Isu karikatur Nabi Muhammad: Umat Islam serata dunia protes Isu karikatur Nabi Muhammad: Umat Islam serata dunia protes](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2020-10/41603778380_PalestinProtes.jpg)
Isu karikatur Nabi Muhammad: Umat Islam serata dunia protes
Protes itu juga sebagai respons kepada tindakan Presiden Perancis Emmanuel Macron yang mempertahankan seorang guru yang mati dibunuh kerana membawa kartun itu ke dalam kelasnya.