Photo by: KTXS News
Patrick Crusius, the man who killed 23 people and injured 22 others in a 2019 mass shooting at a Walmart in El Paso, Texas, was sentenced to 90 life terms without the possibility of parole on Friday.
The sentencing came after Crusius pleaded guilty in February to dozens of federal hate crimes and firearms charges. In a statement read in court, Crusius said he was “sorry” for his actions, but he also said he believed he was “doing the right thing” by targeting Mexicans.
The shooting took place on August 3, 2019, at a Walmart in the Cielo Vista Mall in El Paso. Crusius, who was 21 years old at the time, drove about 650 miles from his home in Allen, Texas, to El Paso. He entered the Walmart and opened fire, targeting people of Mexican descent.
The shooting was the deadliest mass shooting in El Paso’s history and one of the deadliest mass shootings in the United States in recent years. It was also the deadliest mass shooting targeting Latinos in the United States.
In the wake of the shooting, El Paso became a symbol of resilience and unity. Thousands of people gathered for vigils and marches to show their support for the victims and their families. The city also received an outpouring of support from across the country.
The sentencing of Patrick Crusius is a reminder of the ongoing threat of hate crimes and mass shootings in the United States. It is also a reminder of the importance of fighting against racism and intolerance.
Here are some additional details about the shooting:
- Crusius posted a racist manifesto online shortly before the shooting. In the manifesto, he expressed his hatred of Mexicans and said that he wanted to “kill as many Mexicans as possible.”
- Crusius used an AK-47-style rifle in the shooting. He fired more than 100 rounds inside the Walmart.
- The shooting lasted for about 10 minutes.
- Crusius was arrested shortly after the shooting. He has been in custody ever since.
- The victims of the shooting ranged in age from 18 to 92.
- The shooting has had a lasting impact on the El Paso community. Many people in the city still feel traumatized by the event.
- The shooting has also led to calls for stricter gun control laws in the United States.
