Solved case · 2019
Also known as El Paso Walmart shooting · El Paso shooting
Patrick Crusius exiting the building after killing 23 people at a Walmart in El Paso, TexasCredit: Security cameraPublic domainSourceThe short answer
On August 3, 2019, a gunman opened fire at a Walmart store in El Paso, Texas, killing 23 people and injuring 22 others in an attack investigated as domestic terrorism and a hate crime targeting Latinos.
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Suggest coverage for 2019 El Paso Walmart shootingOn the morning of August 3, 2019, 21-year-old Patrick Crusius drove roughly 650 miles from Allen, Texas, to El Paso, arriving at a Walmart near the Cielo Vista Mall. After conducting reconnaissance inside the store, he returned to his car, posted a manifesto titled "The Inconvenient Truth" to the imageboard 8chan, and retrieved a semi-automatic rifle from his trunk. Beginning at approximately 10:38 a.m., he opened fire, first killing a woman in the parking lot and shooting at people near a girls' soccer team fundraising event, before entering the store and continuing to shoot customers and employees, including inside a bank branch located within the Walmart. He fled the store after roughly two minutes, fired once more at a car in the parking lot, and then drove away before surrendering to law enforcement at a nearby intersection, identifying himself as the shooter.
The attack killed 23 people and injured 22 others; twenty victims died at the scene, and three others died in the days and months following, including one victim who died in April 2020, eight months after the shooting. Victims included thirteen Americans, eight Mexican nationals, and one German citizen, ranging in age from 15 to over 80. The FBI investigated the shooting as an act of domestic terrorism and a hate crime, and it has been described as the deadliest attack on Latinos in modern American history.
Crusius's manifesto expressed white nationalist and anti-immigrant themes, cited the 2019 Christchurch mosque shootings as inspiration, and referenced the "Great Replacement" conspiracy theory. During interrogation, he told detectives he had targeted Mexicans. He was diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder.
Crusius was charged with capital murder by Texas authorities and separately indicted on 90 federal charges, including hate crimes resulting in death and firearms offenses. On February 8, 2023, he pleaded guilty to all 90 federal charges and was sentenced on July 7, 2023, to 90 consecutive life sentences. On April 21, 2025, he pleaded guilty to the state capital murder charges and was sentenced to life in prison without parole. He is incarcerated at the Louis C. Powledge Unit in Palestine, Texas.
The shooting prompted national and international reactions, including condemnation from President Donald Trump, former President Barack Obama, and officials in Mexico, where the government considered pursuing terrorism charges against Crusius for the killing of Mexican nationals. Walmart later announced it would stop selling handgun and certain rifle ammunition and discourage open carry of firearms in its stores. Memorials, including the El Paso Healing Garden, were later established, with the garden designated a national memorial in December 2022.
Patrick Crusius opens fire at a Walmart store near the Cielo Vista Mall in El Paso, Texas, killing and wounding dozens of people before surrendering to law enforcement.
El Paso Police Department releases the names, ages, and citizenships of 22 of the deceased victims.
Funeral of victim Margie Reckard, husband Antonio Basco's widow, held publicly at his invitation, drawing hundreds of attendees.
A Texas grand jury indicts Crusius on state capital murder charges.
Crusius pleads not guilty to capital murder charges at arraignment in El Paso County Courthouse.
Federal prosecutors charge Crusius with 90 federal counts, including hate crimes resulting in death and firearms offenses.
A 23rd victim dies from injuries sustained in the shooting, eight months after the attack.
A new capital murder charge is sought following the death of the 23rd victim.
The El Paso Healing Garden memorial is dedicated at Ascarate Park.
The El Paso Healing Garden is designated a national memorial.
Crusius pleads guilty to all 90 federal murder and hate crime charges.
Crusius is sentenced to 90 consecutive life sentences on the federal charges.
Crusius pleads guilty to state capital murder charges and is sentenced to life in prison without parole.
Victims first. Every legal label is set from public records and court outcomes, not from the prose.
United States Army soldier praised for helping evacuate unaccompanied children from a nearby store during the shooting; found dead at Fort Bliss in April 2020, with foul play denied.[3]
Pleaded guilty to 90 federal murder and hate crime charges (sentenced July 2023 to 90 consecutive life sentences) and to state capital murder charges (sentenced April 2025 to life without parole).[3]
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