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#BREAKING Officers started running outside door. Everyone asked to move inside. @wfaachannel8

— Jobin Panicker (@jobinpnews) May 3, 2015

The shots rang out at about 7 p.m. near the end of the event, with two suspects allegedly opening fire on security officers hired to protect the event, Garland police spokesman Joe Harn said. The officers returned fire, killing the men.

One of the suspects was identified as Elton Simpson, an Arizona man who was previously the subject of a terror investigation, according to a senior FBI official.

The center was put on lockdown after the shooting.

#BREAKING Moving us all into secured room. Two suspects shot. Everyone here on their phones. @wfaachannel8 pic.twitter.com/LkuiKmeOBH

— Jobin Panicker (@jobinpnews) May 4, 2015

Despite the shooting, meeting attendees remained steadfast in their focus, singing patriotic songs.

Ppl evacuated singing patriotic songs. @wfaachannel8 pic.twitter.com/8xOWS9isv1

— Jobin Panicker (@jobinpnews) May 4, 2015

Reporter Panicker said he was surprised by the lack of protesters at the event, and said organizers prepared for the potential backlash by hiring extra security officers.

“I think [authorities] did an incredible job responding to this situation, getting everybody secure, into that room, and very quickly,” Panicker said.

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