A total of 20 people have died and 26 have been injured in a shooting this Saturday morning in a shopping center in El Paso Texas, as confirmed late in the afternoon by the governor of Texas, Greg Abbot.
It was a sunny morning in the complex of shops and restaurants, very busy on weekends, where the popular Cielo Vista shopping center is located, one of the largest in the area. Suddenly, an armed man entered the Walmart department store, which is very close to the mall, minutes before eleven in the morning causing the bloodbath.
Police have confirmed that the murderer had written a manifesto before acting, a text that he has not made public but that places the shooting as “a potential hate crime.”
The shooter was arrested “without incident,” according to police, indicating that he did not offer much resistance. The agents did not have to make any shots. As reported by Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick to Fox News, the suspect has been identified as Patrick Wood Crusius, a Dallas native.
Between 1,000 and 3,000 people were inside the department stores, according to security forces. Various videos distributed through social networks show the panic that has spread through the Walmart and the mall, with dozens of customers running to take refuge inside the premises.
The account of some witnesses describes that at the time of the attack numerous parents took advantage of Saturday morning to make purchases with their children for the start of the school year, which starts in mid-August in El Paso. Then, after receiving the first notices, the police and emergency medical services starred a massive deployment of agents and medical personnel.
A video broadcast by local news channel KTSM 9 shows a man entering Walmart, where the shooting began, armed with a semi-automatic rifle and equipped with glasses and helmets to protect eyes and ears. In Texas, possession of such weapons is legal and to acquire them, a criminal background check is not required. Police sources cited by Fox News said it was an AK-47 and the individual was shooting for 20 minutes. Some witnesses say that the gunman opened fire randomly.
The White House confirmed that Donald Trump was being informed and had spoken with Attorney General William Barr and Governor Greg Abbot. “Terrible shootings in ElPaso, Texas. Reports are very bad, many killed. Working with State and Local authorities, and Law Enforcement. Spoke to Governor to pledge total support of Federal Government. God be with you all!” the president tweeted from New Jersey.
