[guest post by Dana]

Two gunmen were shot and killed by the police in Garland, Texas tonight when they opened fire at the Muhammad Art Exhibit and Contest:

Garland police spokesman Joe Harn told The Washington Post that the shooting occurred Sunday night outside the Curtis Culwell Center in Garland, about 20 miles northeast of Dallas, when two armed men pulled up in front of the event center and both started shooting at a Garland Independent School District security officer. In response, Garland police opened fire on the two gunmen, he said.

Both gunmen have been killed, Harn said. The security officer who was shot has been treated and released from a nearby hospital.

The incident occurred outside the Curtis Culwell Center where the New York-based American Freedom Defense Initiative (AFDI) was hosting a contest that would award $10,000 for the best cartoon depicting the prophet Muhammad, according to the Associated Press. But Harn said its still unclear whether the shooting was related to the event.

After the shooting, attendees were evacuated by school buses. Police suspect the vehicle may contain an incendiary device and the bomb squad is on the scene, according to a statement from police. Nearby businesses such as Academy Sports, Walmart and Sam’s were also evacuated.

Event organizer Pamela Geller has posted tweets from Muslims voicing their support of the gunmen.

(h/t Ag80)

–Dana

ADDED: Unbelievably, from New York Times reporter Rukmini Callimachi:

Free speech aside, why would anyone do something as provocative as hosting a "Muhammad drawing contest"?

— Rukmini Callimachi (@rcallimachi) May 4, 2015

If you’re a member of the press, the very, very last thing you should ever say or think is free speech aside. Could there be any more powerful statement to evidence a critical lack of understanding about and diminished view of our country’s most important foundational cornerstone?

[guest post by Dana]

It took only 40 minutes for GoFundMe to suspend the fundraising account put up by the police union on behalf of the six officers charged in the Freddie Gray case. The hoped-for funds were expected to help defray legal costs as well as help with living expenses for the officers and their families during their unpaid suspensions.

Asked to comment on the removal of this campaign, a spokeswoman told Vocativ, “GoFundMe cannot be used to benefit those who are charged with serious violations of the law.”

This policy was in place before last week’s revision which now includes “discriminatory acts”.

Except there would appear to be a problem with GoFundMe and consistency:

[W]e found plenty of campaigns that violate the company’s terms of service. We turned up a campaign in Europe that’s already raised $1,500 for Pegida, Germany’s anti-Islamic, neo-fascist movement, as well as one supporting the defense fund of an Idaho man facing felony charges and five years in prison. A New Jersey deli owner is raising money to save his business after he lost customers for hanging up a sign in his storefront that read “Celebrate your white heritage in March, White History Month.” He’s so far banked $1,900.

Further, remember convicted felon, “hot” Jeremy Meeks? When I posted about him, he had recently been arrested and was facing 11 new felony charges, including possession of a “9mm round of ammunition, an unregistered and loaded Springfield Armory.45 caliber XD(M) semi-automatic handgun along with two extended magazines for the firearm and possession of marijuana”, for which he received a two year sentence.

At the time, I wrote:

Jeremy Meeks’ mother set up a GoFundMe page to raise money for his legal defense. And, not surprisingly, given the reaction to his mug shot, has raised $3,879 raised by 199 people in 2 days.

Within a few days, that number was well on its way to doubling.

When asked specifically about the Meeks’ campaign and apparent inconsistencies in adhering to company policy, GoFundMe had no response.

–Dana

UPDATE: Thanks to Dana for getting this important story up so quickly. I think people should spread the message that GoFundMe should be boycotted. If you have a Twitter account, go retweet this:

Time to #boycottgofundme. @GoFundMe violates its own terms, allowing legal defense funds for some, while nixing the fund for Baltimore cops.

— Patterico (@Patterico) May 3, 2015