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Contact: Marcela Salazar | 202-567-1163 | msalazar@skdknick.com

David Cruz | 818-689-9991 | davidcruz@lulac.org

LULAC: Federal Hate Crime Charges

Against El Paso Walmart Suspect
Only The Beginning Of Justice And
Healing
Nation’s Oldest & Largest Latino Civil Rights Organization
Stands In Solidarity With Community Scarred by Domestic Hate
Attack
El Paso, TX - The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) today issued a statement
following a federal grand jury in El Paso, Texas on Thursday returning a 90-count indictment
against alleged shooter Patrick Wood Crusius that also included a federal hate crimes charge and
firearm charges for the August 3, 2019 attack that claimed 22 lives and left 24 others wounded.
The shootings of unarmed civilians shopping at a Walmart were motivated by Crusius’ self-
admitted hatred who said he intended to kill “Mexicans”. The massacre was the deadliest mass
shooting in the United States in 2019, the seventh deadliest since 1949, and the third deadliest in
Texas history. Most of the people killed were either Mexican or Mexican-American. Crusius posted
online just before the shooting that what he was about to do was because of “the Hispanic invasion
of Texas” and “all the problems these invaders cause and will cause.”
Sindy Benavides, National Chief Executive Officer of LULAC, said the grand jury charges are
only the start of a long road for the people of El Paso. “While a measure of justice has been
granted for grieving loved ones and survivors, nothing can bring back the victims of this horrific
event,” she said. “No number of ‘thoughts and prayers’ will reverse the experiences of this
community, those of past shootings, and those who may be forced to combat struggles with white
supremacy and gun violence in the future,” added Benavides.
Crusius is already facing a capital murder indictment handed down in Texas state court. He
pleaded not guilty during his court appearance last October despite making public statements to
police shortly after the shootings that he acted willfully and with intent to kill.
Benavides says she has been in contact with LULAC staff and other longtime friends who live in El
Paso and who are still grieving six months after the attack.
“The fabric of the city of El Paso has been forever altered,” says Benavides. “LULAC stands with its
people in their resilience and determination to heal, while remembering and heeding the past. Gun
violence of this vein must be cured through firm legislation that guarantees the safety and security
of all Americans,” she added.
Rudy Rosales, LULAC Texas State Director, had the following statement:
“The news of the grand jury indictment represents a somber moment in the Latino community here
in Texas. The lives that were lost in El Paso will never be forgotten. We want and demand justice
for the families of the deceased and hurt, for the El Paso community, and for Latinos everywhere
who now live in fear of their lives, said Rosales. “While we mourn we are still strong. We will not be
victims, we will not be silent, we will be strong. El Paso strong and Texas strong!,” he concluded.

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About LULAC
The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) is the nation’s largest and oldest civil rights
volunteer-based organization that empowers Hispanic Americans and builds strong Latino
communities. Headquartered in Washington, DC, with 1,000 councils around the United States and
Puerto Rico, LULAC’s programs, services and advocacy address the most important issues for
Latinos, meeting critical needs of today and the future. For more information, visit www.LULAC.org.

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6135 FAX

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