Gunman Expected to Plead Guilty in 2019 El Paso Shooting

DALLAS (AP) — Nearly six years after a mass shooting at a Walmart in El Paso, Texas, that left 23 people dead, the criminal case against Patrick Crusius appears to be nearing resolution. Crusius, now 26, is expected to enter a guilty plea for capital murder on Monday, which will lead to a life sentence without parole.

The incident, which took place on August 3, 2019, was a racially motivated attack against Hispanic shoppers. El Paso County District Attorney James Montoya indicated that Crusius would not be facing the death penalty for the state charges, a decision made to expedite the conclusion of the case. “I think the majority of the victims’ families want closure,” Montoya said in a statement.

Crusius, who drove over ten hours from his suburban Dallas home to carry out the attack, reportedly became enraged over what he called the “Hispanic invasion of Texas.” Following his arrest, he confessed to police and had posted on social media about his intentions before the shooting, promoting hard-line immigration views.

On that day, Crusius allegedly began shooting outside the Walmart, a store frequented by shoppers from Mexico and the U.S. He later moved inside, targeting people in various sections, including a checkout area and aisles, resulting in numerous casualties.

The victims ranged in age from a 15-year-old to grandparents, encompassing both U.S. citizens and Mexican nationals, including a mother shielding her children from gunfire. One of the survivors, Jessica Coca Garcia, sustained serious injuries while fundraising in the parking lot for her daughter’s soccer team.

In a poignant moment after the attack, Garcia delivered a speech expressing her shock about the racism behind the violence. “Racism is something I always wanted to think didn’t exist. Obviously, it does,” she remarked.

Crusius has already been sentenced in federal court on hate crime and weapons charges. Under the Biden administration, federal prosecutors decided not to pursue additional charges.

Legal experts note that the prolonged nature of the case stems from various factors, including a high volume of victims and their families wishing to be heard during the judicial process. The pandemic also contributed to delays.

Montoya is the fourth district attorney to handle this case, as prior prosecutors faced criticism and political pressure surrounding their management of it. He acknowledged his support for the death penalty but believed that seeking it would postpone the trial until 2028, hindering the pursuit of justice for victims’ families.

As the plea agreement looms, victims’ family members express mixed feelings. Stephanie Melendez, whose father was one of the victims, initially sought the death penalty but has since just wanted closure. “I was done reliving everything,” Melendez said. “I just wanted it to be over.”