el paso shooting

Mexico planning legal action over El Paso Walmart shooting, foreign minister says

Sunday, August 4, 2019
Mexico's foreign minister says the country plans to take legal action against whoever sold the gun to the man suspected of killing at least 20 people and wounding more than two dozen others in El Paso, Texas.
EL PASO, Texas -- Mexico's foreign minister said Sunday the country plans to take legal action against whoever sold the gun to the man suspected of killing at least 20 people and wounding more than two dozen others at a Walmart in El Paso, Texas.

As of Sunday, six Mexican nationals are confirmed dead and another seven injured in connection with Saturday's deadly shooting rampage, according to Mexico's government.
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Marcelo Ebrard, the country's foreign minister, said Sunday that "it's urgent that we take corresponding actions against weapons." Ebrard has frequently cited the flood of illegal weapons from the U.S. to Mexico as a factor in Mexico's rising rate of violent crime.

Gun ownership is highly restricted in Mexico, requiring special permits, and gun shops are rare. The average Mexican has trouble legally acquiring a handgun, much less an assault weapon.

Ebrard also called Saturday's shooting "a terrorist act" against Mexicans and urged the U.S. government to "set a clear position against hate crimes."
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The suspect in the shooting, Patrick Crusius, told investigators he wanted to shoot as many Mexicans as possible, two law enforcement officials told ABC News. Crusius is currently being held on capital murder charges, and prosecutors have said they will seek the death penalty. Additional federal charges could be filed.

The attack targeted a shopping area about 5 miles from the main border checkpoint with Ciudad Juárez, Mexico. The Walmart and adjacent mall are popular with shoppers from both sides of the border.

Texas state police cars block the access to the Walmart store in the aftermath of a shooting in El Paso, Tx., Saturday, Aug. 3, 2019.AP
People smile at the end of a vigil for victims of a mass shooting at a shopping complex Sunday, Aug. 4, 2019, in El Paso, Texas.AP
Members of the FBI evidence response team investigate the scene of a mass shooting at a shopping complex Sunday, Aug. 4, 2019, in El Paso, Texas.AP
Rene Aguilar and Jackie Flores pray at the makeshift memorial for the victims of Saturday's mass shooting at a shopping complex in El Paso, Texas, Sunday, August 4, 2019.AP
The American flag files at half-staff at the White House in Washington, Sunday, Aug. 4, 2019, to honor those killed in two mass shootings.AP
Flowers and a Virgin Mary painting adorn a makeshift memorial for the victims of Saturday mass shooting at a shopping complex in El Paso, Texas, Sunday, August 4, 2019.AP
Cathe Hill wipes tears from her eyes during a vigil for victims of a mass shooting at a shopping complex Sunday, Aug. 4, 2019, in El Paso, Texas.AP
People comfort each other during a vigil for victims of a mass shooting at a shopping complex Sunday, Aug. 4, 2019, in El Paso, Texas.AP
Clockwise from left, Gabriela Lopez and her husband Roberto Lopez comfort their children Santi Lopez and Max Lopez during a vigil for victims of Saturday's mass shooting.AP
People rise their phones in a solidarity vigil for the 3 Mexican citizens who died in El Paso, Texas, Mexicans gathered in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, Saturday, August 3, 2019.AP
Presidential candidate and former congressman Beto O'Rourke meets with mass shooting survivor, Rosemary, at University Medical Center in El Paso, Texas on Sunday, Aug. 4, 2019.AP
El Paso police stage in front of a Walmart store at 7101 Gateway Blvd. West during an active shooter incident there Saturday.AP
An El Paso police officer talks to women at an intersection near where an active shooter incident took place Saturday, August 3, 2019, in El Paso, TX.AP
Police tape strung across an intersection behind the WalMart store in 7101 Gateway Blvd. West Saturday, August 3, 2019, in El Paso, TX.AP
A law enforcement officer walks near where an active shooter incident took place Saturday, August 3, 2019, in El Paso, TX.AP
El Paso police officers from all over town are called to an active shooter incident Saturday, August 3, 2019, in El Paso, TX.AP
Law enforcement officers make their way along a walkway between a WalMart and a SAM's Club store during an active shooter incident Saturday, August 3, 2019, in El Paso, TX.AP
U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers stage along a street near the site of an active shooter incident Saturday, August 3, 2019, in El Paso, TX.AP
People walk into an elementary school to look for loved ones near the site of an active shooter incident Saturday, August 3, 2019, in El Paso, TX.AP
U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers gather near an active shooter incident Saturday, August 3, 2019, in El Paso, TX.AP
Ambulances stage in the parking lot of a SAM'S Club store during an active shooter incident Saturday, August 3, 2019, in El Paso, TX.AP
El Paso Police Department Sgt. Robert Gomez briefs media on a shooting that occurred at a Walmart near Cielo Vista Mall in El Paso, Texas, on August 3, 2019.Creative Content
Law enforcement agencies respond to an active shooter at a Walmart near Cielo Vista Mall in El Paso, Texas, Saturday, Aug. 3, 2019.Creative Content
Armed Policemen gather next to an FBI armored vehicle next to the Cielo Vista Mall as an active shooter situation is going inside the Mall in El Paso on August 03, 2019.Creative Content
Law enforcement agencies respond to an active shooter at a Walmart near Cielo Vista Mall in El Paso, Texas, Saturday, Aug. 3, 2019.Creative Content
Law enforcement agencies respond to an active shooter at a Walmart near Cielo Vista Mall in El Paso, Texas, Saturday, Aug. 3, 2019.Creative Content
Law enforcement agencies respond to an active shooter at a Walmart near Cielo Vista Mall in El Paso, Texas, Saturday, Aug. 3, 2019.Creative Content
Law enforcement agencies respond to an active shooter at a Walmart near Cielo Vista Mall in El Paso, Texas, Saturday, Aug. 3, 2019.Creative Content
Law enforcement agencies respond to an active shooter at a Walmart near Cielo Vista Mall in El Paso, Texas, Saturday, Aug. 3, 2019.Creative Content
Law enforcement agencies respond to an active shooter at a Walmart near Cielo Vista Mall in El Paso, Texas, Saturday, Aug. 3, 2019.Creative Content
Law enforcement agencies respond to an active shooter at a Walmart near Cielo Vista Mall in El Paso, Texas, Saturday, Aug. 3, 2019.Creative Content


The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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