4 August
Police in the US state of Texas have detained a suspect in a fatal mass shooting at a shopping mall in El Paso. They are investigating the incident with a number of possibilities in mind, including it being a hate crime against Hispanic immigrants.
The shooting occurred in an area where there are large retail stores, including Walmart, at around 10 a.m. on Saturday. The shooting left at least 20 people dead and 26 people injured. Local media reported an eyewitness account that a man wearing black clothes and black earmuffs fired at shoppers as he walked leisurely into the Walmart store.
Multiple media quoted police as saying that the suspect is 21-year-old Patrick Crusius from a town near Dallas. El Paso Police Chief Greg Allen told a news conference that they are investigating an online manifesto against Hispanic immigrants which is believed to have been posted by the suspect. He added that he cannot reveal any details as they have not determined whether it was really posted by the suspect.
When asked if it was a hate crime, he said that it is one of various possibilities.—NHK
