EL PASO, Texas The gunman responsible for the deaths of 23 people in a racially motivated attack at an El Paso Walmart pleaded guilty to capital murder on Monday in a Texas state district court. The shooting, which occurred in 2019, stands as one of the deadliest mass shootings in U.S. history.
The guilty plea comes as the state was preparing for a capital murder trial. By pleading guilty, the shooter avoids the possibility of the death penalty in the state case. However, he still faces separate federal charges related to the shooting.
Prosecutors detailed how the shooter specifically targeted the Walmart due to its proximity to the U.S.-Mexico border and the large number of Hispanic shoppers. Evidence presented revealed the shooter's online manifesto filled with racist and anti-immigrant rhetoric.
Families of the victims were present in the courtroom as the plea was entered. While the state case is now largely resolved, the federal case remains a significant legal hurdle for the shooter. The plea marks a significant step in the long and painful process of seeking justice for the victims and the El Paso community.
El Paso Walmart Shooter Pleads Guilty to Capital Murder
The man who killed 23 people in a mass shooting at an El Paso Walmart has pleaded guilty to capital murder. The shooting, motivated by racial hatred, was one of the deadliest in recent U.S. history. The guilty plea in state court avoids a death penalty trial, but the shooter still faces federal charges.
Source: Read the original article at NBC