A mass shooting at a Walmart in El Paso, Texas, has killed at least 20 people and left 26 others injured. El Paso Police Chief Greg Allen gave the death toll after hours of speculation and unconfirmed reports. The death toll confirms that the shooting in El Paso is one of the 10 deadliest mass shootings in U.S. history. “There are so many victims, so many bodies inside Walmart,” one unidentified person inside the store told the Dallas Morning News. “Hard to describe.”
Although initial reports claimed there were multiple shooters, officials have one person in custody. Several media outlets have identified the suspect as Patrick Crusius, a 21-year-old from Allen, Texas. Security footage has been published showing a man identified as Crusius walking into the Walmart with what appears to be a rifle.
At least three businesses were on lockdown in the area around the Cielo Vista Mall. One restaurant that was on lockdown opened its doors when three Walmart employees ran there for refuge, according to CNN. “We never thought it would be so close to us this time,” Oscar Collazo, the manager of nearby Landry’s Seafood House, said. “You see on the news all the time, but you don’t think it could happen here until it does.”
The shooting comes days after two men were killed in a shooting at a Walmart in Mississippi and less than a week after three people were killed at a shooting that broke out at the Gilroy Garlic Festival in California.
President Donald Trump called the shooting “terrible” in a tweet. “Reports are very bad, many killed. Working with State and Local authorities, and Law Enforcement,” Trump wrote. “Spoke to Governor to pledge total support of Federal Government. God be with you all!”
This is a breaking news story and will be updated with new information as it becomes available.
