A white man who killed 23 people in a racist attack against Hispanic shoppers at a Walmart store in a Texas border city was sentenced Friday to 90 consecutive life sentences, but could still face further punishment, including the death penalty.
Patrick Crusius, 24, pleaded guilty earlier this year to nearly 50 federal hate crime charges in the 2019 mass shooting in El Paso, making it one of the largest hate crime cases. of the United States government.
Police say Crusius drove more than 700 miles from his home near Dallas to assault Hispanics with an AK-style rifle inside and outside the store. Moments before the attack began, Crusius posted a racist tirade online warning of a Hispanic “invasion” of Texas.
In the years since the shooting, Republicans have described migrants crossing the southern border of the United States as an “invasion,” pushing back against critics who say the rhetoric fuels anti-immigrant stance and violence.
crusius pleaded guilty in February after federal prosecutors took the death penalty off the table. But Texas prosecutors have indicated they will try to put Crusius on death row once he stands trial in state court. The date of that trial has not yet been set.
The sentence by federal district judge David Guaderrama in El Paso comes after two days of shocking statements from relatives of the victims, including Mexican citizens. In addition to those killed, more than two dozen people were injured and many others severely traumatized after hiding or fleeing the attack.
Connect with the Voice of America! Subscribe to our channel Youtube and activate notifications, or follow us on social networks: Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
