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. BBC reports:
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.
