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Patrick Crusius, a 24-year-old gunman from Allen, has been sentenced in federal court to 90 consecutive life sentences for his hate crimes. In August 2019, he killed 23 people and injured 22 others at an El Paso Walmart, with his intention being to target as many Mexicans as possible. This sentence ensures that Crusius will spend the rest of his life in prison.
Sitting beside his lawyer, Joe Spencer, Crusius remained silent. With his arms crossed, he refrained from making any statements even when the judge inquired if he had any words to share.
According to Spencer, the gunman’s mental health was a challenge due to his young age. Eventually, he received a diagnosis of schizoaffective disorder. Spencer mentioned that the individual experiences difficulties in understanding emotions and auditory hallucinations. Furthermore, since early childhood, he has felt the presence of something that does not actually exist, as per Spencer’s account.
Spencer acknowledged, “Not every mental illness indicates a risk of self-harm or harm towards others. However, certain mental illnesses can severely impair a person’s functioning.”
According to Spencer, the gunman developed violent thoughts towards various individuals, including his therapist and family members, as he matured. Concerned about his well-being, the gunman’s mother discovered that he had acquired a firearm and reached out to the police, requesting them to confiscate it. Unfortunately, the police declined her request due to the gunman being of legal age and having obtained the gun through lawful means.
Spencer mentioned that Crusius had conducted online research about the possibility of gaining access to a mental institution without having health insurance prior to carrying out the shooting.
Spencer stated on August 2, 2019 that his client had reached a point where he could no longer manage his violent thoughts and consequently decided to drive to El Paso.
“Patrick’s disconnection from reality was complete,” Spencer remarked. “His actions were driven by his fractured mind, firmly entrenched in delusions.”
According to federal prosecutor Ian Martinez Hanna, the gunman cannot use his mental health issues as a justification. Hanna emphasized that the gunman had ample chances to halt his actions.
Hanna stated that despite his mental illness, there is no evidence suggesting that he did not possess the ability to comprehend his actions.
“Hanna emphasized that there should be no room for error – he is undeniably dangerous,” she stated firmly. “Despite his attempts to spread hate and sow discord, he ultimately fell short of his divisive mission.”
On July 9, 2020, a federal indictment was filed against the gunman, accusing him of 90 offenses. These charges encompassed a hate crime leading to a fatality, a hate crime involving an attempted murder, and the use of a firearm to perpetrate a killing. The shooter, Crusius, has been detained since the shooting incident on August 3, 2019, and had previously entered a guilty plea earlier this year.
Traveling over 600 miles from his residence in Allen, situated north of Dallas, he arrived in El Paso and commenced a shooting spree within the crowded Walmart parking lot, bustling with back-to-school shoppers. Unrelenting, he proceeded into the store, continuing his rampage. The majority of the 23 deceased victims and 22 wounded individuals were Mexican Americans and Mexican citizens hailing from El Paso and Ciudad Juárez. In a tragic twist, among those affected was Alexander Gerhard Hoffmann, a 66-year-old German man who relocated to Mexico during the 1980s, married a woman from Juárez, and established his life there.
The age of the victims varied from 15 to 90 years old. It is a widespread practice for inhabitants of both cities to commute regularly for work, school, family visits, and shopping purposes.
As per the indictment, the individual responsible for the shooting incident shared a document online, elaborating on their motive. The document states, “My actions are a direct reaction to what I perceive as a Hispanic influx into Texas. It is important to clarify that they are the ones initiating this situation, not me. I am merely safeguarding my nation against the cultural and ethnic displacement that I believe is a result of this influx.”
Texas politicians have labeled the influx of migrants at the Texas-Mexico border as an “invasion,” both before and after the tragic mass shooting in El Paso. These migrants, including asylum-seekers escaping violence and severe poverty in Central and South America, have been subjected to such descriptions. The notion of “ethnic replacement” mentioned by the gunman stems from a discredited conspiracy theory that suggests people of color and immigrants are seeking to supplant white Americans.
According to El Paso District Attorney Bill Hicks, the shooter is still confronting state charges. On Thursday, Hicks announced his intention to pursue capital punishment following a trial, which is anticipated to take place sometime between 2024 and 2025.
Over the course of Wednesday and Thursday, the individual responsible for the shooting received messages from over 30 relatives of the victims. A few of these relatives requested that their statements be presented in court by the prosecutors. Among the messages, the shooter was labeled as an “evil parasite” and a “monster” by certain individuals. Additionally, some expressed their desire for the perpetrator to suffer in their prison cell.
Harry Dean Reckard, who was celebrating his birthday on Thursday, chose to spend a portion of his special day in court facing the individual responsible for his mother’s tragic death. The shooter claimed the life of Reckard’s mother, who was 63 years old.
Reckard urged the gunman to lift his head, remarking, “Hey, man, take a look at me. You’re just a young and pitiful person.”
When Reckard mentioned that Crusius had smiled and rolled his eyes while family members gave their statements, Crusius simply shrugged.
“Reckard inquired if you sleep well at night.”
The gunman shook his head.
Reckard inquired the gunman about his affiliation with white supremacy, to which he once again responded by shaking his head in denial.
“Did you apologize for your actions?” Reckard inquired.
The gunman nodded yes.
On Thursday, Margaret Juarez expressed her disappointment to him and provided a brief historical context after the shooting incident, which resulted in the loss of her 90-year-old father, Luis Juarez, and the injury of her mother, Martha Juarez.
“You should consider the fact that Native Americans and Mexicans were already present before your American settler companions arrived,” she reminded him. “It’s important to reflect on this when you claim to be defending your country.”
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