Suspect in custody after 20 people killed in El Paso Walmart shooting

El Paso Police Chief Greg Allen said the suspect in custody is a 21-year-old white man from Allen, Texas. He would not name the individual, but a law enforcement source in El Paso told the Washington Examiner that Patrick Crusius was taken custody.

Allen said the first call to police came in at 10:39 a.m., and the first police officer arrived on the scene in six minutes. Allen said there were 26 people who were injured in the shooting. He also said the state of Texas would be the lead agency prosecuting the suspect, and potential capital murder charges are being considered.

Allen said investigators have a manifesto believed to be from the suspect that “indicates to some degree, has a nexus to potential hate crime.” Investigators looking for a motive were examining online postings by the suspect, who is from Allen, Texas, a northern suburb of Dallas.

Earlier in the day, Sgt. Robert Gomez, a spokesman with the El Paso Police Department, told reporters that a motive was still unknown. He said there were between one and 3,000 shoppers at Walmart at the time of the shooting and 100 employees present. He said the scene, which includes the Walmart store and next-door Cielo Vista Mall, remains active as officials are transitioning into a criminal investigation.

Gomez said the suspect was taken into custody without incident, and no law enforcement fired weapons. Allen later confirmed that the suspect surrendered to police as they approached him.

Police said they received reports of a rifle being used in the shooting but so far have not confirmed what type of firearm was brandished. Police also said it was one suspect who was taken into custody after El Paso’s mayor said the number was at least three.

Although police would not comment on a timeline of events, the gunman reportedly began opening fire in the parking lot before walking into Walmart. Witnesses have told multiple news outlets that gunfire could be heard for up to 20 minutes.

The law enforcement source shared a photo believed to be of the suspect as he entered the Walmart. “He shot and killed locals that were fundraising outside the Walmart selling water. Children and adults,” the source said.

Wounded victims were transported to two local hospitals. Eleven people, aged 35 to 82, were transported to the Del Sol Medical Center, a hospital spokesman told KTSM, a local NBC affiliate. Nine are listed in critical condition while two others are in stable condition. The University of El Paso Medical Center reported receiving 13 victims, according to Fox News, with ages ranging from 2 to senior-aged. One person was reported to have died there.

El Paso police tweeted out that blood is “needed urgently” and encouraged the community to visit blood donation centers.

The FBI said it is assisting state and local officials with the investigation and asked for people to share with investigators any photos or video they have of the active shooter event.

During the active shooter situation, the FBI responded with police. Police announced they had received “reports of multiple shooters” and were sweeping a large area but later lowered the estimate to one shooter after taking a suspect into custody.

In its second statement of the day, the White House announced that President Trump is receiving updates on the shooting and pledged to support Abbott.

“The President continues to receive updates from his national security team on the tragic shootings in El Paso,” White House deputy press secretary Steven Groves said in a statement. “Federal Government personnel, including the FBI and ATF, are on the ground in El Paso actively assisting local authorities, who are leading the response to the shootings. The President has pledged the full support of the Federal Government to Governor Abbott.”

Attorney General William Barr said in a brief statement, “The Justice Department joins in mourning with the people of El Paso, Texas. Those who commit such atrocities should be held accountable swiftly and to the fullest extent the law allows.”

The president also tweeted his condolences.

Sen. Ted Cruz, a Republican from Texas, said he is praying for the victims of the shooting.

El Paso Mayor Dee Margo stressed the suspect was not from his city, tweeting, “This is not what we are about. This is a special community and we will continue to be safe!”

Rep. Veronica Escobar, a Democrat who represents El Paso, implored the nation to come together to end gun violence.

She was holding a town hall nearby when reports of an active shooter came in and had to shut the event down.

At an event in Las Vegas, former Texas congressman Beto O’Rourke, a 2020 candidate for president, was nearly moved to tears addressing the tragedy. He said he was cutting the campaign trip short to return to his hometown.

“I’m going back there right now to be with my family and to be with my hometown. I want to thank the El Paso Police Department and the first responders, they’re there right now and we’re going back to be with them.”

Other 2020 Democratic candidates for president reacting to the shooting, Sens. Cory Booker and Bernie Sanders, condemned the National Rifle Association. Sen. Kamala Harris talked about an executive order that would facilitate sending cops to people’s homes to confiscate banned firearms.

“Today’s horrific mass shooting in El Paso breaks the hearts of all Americans. Our prayers are with the friends and families of the victims and the entire El Paso community which has been devastated by this brutal act of terror and murder. We are grateful for the courage and heroism of our brave first responders who kept people safe and cared for those in need, and whose swift action brought the suspects into custody and prevented further harm,” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said in a statement.

“Too many families in too many communities have been forced to endure the daily horror of gun violence. Enough is enough. The Republican Senate’s continued inaction dishonors our solemn duty to protect innocent men, women and children and end this epidemic once and for all,” she added. “We will continue to insist on commonsense steps to keep our families and our communities safe. May it be a comfort to those grieving the loss of their loved ones that so many Americans mourn with and pray for them at this difficult time.”

Walmart tweeted, “We’re in shock over the tragic events at Cielo Vista Mall in El Paso, where store 2201 & club 6502 are located. We’re praying for the victims, the community & our associates, as well as the first responders. We’re working closely with law enforcement & will update as appropriate.”

El Paso is a town of about 687,000 people located on the U.S.-Mexico border that is near the westernmost tip of Texas. The city is approximately 659 miles to the west of Allen, Texas, where the suspect is from.