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‘Too early’ to link ISIL to Texas shooting: White House

6 May 2015 - 11:46


The White House says it is too early to say whether the ISIL terrorist group is responsible for Sunday’s fatal shooting incident at an anti-Islam event in the US state of Texas.

White House spokesman Josh Earnest said on Tuesday that the FBI is investigating the case to find any ties between ISIL and two gunmen involved in the attack in Garland.

"At this point, this is still under investigation by the FBI and other members of the intelligence community to determine any ties or affiliations that these two individuals may have had with ISIL or other terrorist organizations around the world. So it's too early to say at this point," he said.

"There are extremists around the globe, including those affiliated with ISIL, who are trying to capitalize on the opportunity presented by social media, to try to communicate with individuals around the world, including in the United States," Earnest added.

On Sunday, Elton Simpson and Nadir Soofi of Phoenix, Arizona opened fire on an anti-Islam exhibition depicting Islam’s Prophet Mohammad. Both men were shot and killed by a security guard who was injured in the attack.

Simpson had been previously investigated on suspicion of terrorism offenses, a senior FBI official told US media. He had allegedly planned to travel to Somalia in order to wage a war, according to FBI records.

ISIL said Tuesday it was responsible for the shooting. This marks the first time the terrorist group has claimed responsibility for an attack on American soil.

"Two of the soldiers of the caliphate executed an attack on an art exhibit in Garland, Texas, and this exhibit was portraying negative pictures of the Prophet Mohammed," the group said.

By Press TV



Story Code: 163612

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