The El Paso Police Department has appealed to the public for help identifying a man they are calling a ‘hero’ who possibly saved lives on Aug. 3 when a gunman opened fire in a local Walmart, killing 22 people.
“We believe this HERO helped save several lives including an infant,” the El Paso police said in a Facebook post on Thursday. “Crimes Against Persons is requesting the community’s help in identifying the person in the picture. His actions at Wal-Mart were critical and lifesaving, he needs to be identified and interviewed by investigators.”
The shooting in El Paso was allegedly carried out by Patrick Crusius, 21, who was reportedly targeting immigrants and people of Latin descent as they shopped at Walmart. 20 people died at the scene, and two died later from injuries sustained during the attack.
Another El Paso man was hailed as a hero after he reportedly rushed to the scene of the shooting after his friend called him from Walmart in a panic. Jimmy Villatoro has been credited with helping wounded victims and escorting several other people, including children, to safety.
“I just wanted to get the kids out of there,” he said. “That was the most important thing. It didn’t cross my mind. When I think about it now it was a crazy thing to do but I wasn’t thinking about that then.”
Villatoro received a personal visit from President Trump, who thanked him for his bravery during his recent trip to El Paso.
