WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — The identified suspect is an Arizona man Elton Simpson who was investigated in 2010 for connections with terrorists, a senior FBI official said according to ABC News.
The FBI is currently collecting evidence at his apartment in Phoenix, local media reported.
A now-suspended Twitter account has linked the shooting attack to Islamic State militants, according to media reports.
On Sunday evening, two men opened fire at a security guard at the Curtis Culwell Center in Garland, Texas, which was hosting the "First Annual Muhammad Art Exhibit and Contest." Police that arrived at the scene shot both suspects dead. The security guard was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
The Muhammad Art Contest was organized to support free speech, offering a $10,000 prize for the best cartoon of the Prophet Mohammed. The event was in response to protests in January against a pro-Islam event hosted by the Curtis Culwell Center.
Selfie of Elton Simpson, one of the #GarlandAttack failed jihadists, long known to #FBI, c/o ABC pic.twitter.com/nK2Zl4PI3N
— John Schindler (@20committee) 4 мая 2015