Patrick Wood Crusius, Mass Shooting, Texas 2019
El Paso Mass Shooter, Patrick Wood Crusius, Charged with Federal Hate Crimes
A 21-year-old Texas man has been indicted on hate crimes and firearm charges in connection with the 2019 mass shooting at a Walmart in El Paso, Texas, which left 22 people dead and injured 23 others.
The indictment alleges that on August 3, 2019, Patrick Wood Crusius opened fire with an assault rifle at the Walmart Supercenter, leading to the deaths of 22 individuals and injuring many more. The indictment further alleges that Crusius uploaded a document to the internet, titled 'The Inconvenient Truth,' which stated that the shooting was a response to the 'Hispanic invasion of Texas.'
The 90-count indictment charges Crusius with 22 counts of hate crimes resulting in death, 23 hate crimes involving an attempt to kill, and 45 counts of discharging a firearm in relation to the hate crimes.
If convicted, Crusius faces a maximum penalty of life imprisonment or the death penalty. The Attorney General will decide whether to seek the death penalty at a later time.
Crusius is currently in state custody pending state criminal charges. The FBI, with the support of local law enforcement agencies, conducted the investigation, which is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ian Hanna and Greg McDonald of the Western District of Texas.
It is essential to note that an indictment is merely a charge and should not be considered as evidence of guilt. The defendant is considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Patrick Wood Crusius, 21, of Allen, Texas, was indicted on hate crimes and firearm charges in connection with the 2019 El Paso Walmart shooting.
The indictment alleges that Crusius willfully caused bodily injury to the victims because of the actual and perceived national origin of any person.
Patrick Wood Crusius is currently in state custody pending state criminal charges.
More information about the government's hate crimes efforts can be found at www.justice.gov/hatecrimes.
Key Facts
- State: Texas
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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