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The 21- year-old male implicated of killing 22 people when he opened fire at a Walmart in El Paso, Texas on Aug. 3, pleaded not guilty to capital murder charges at his initial court look Thursday.
Patrick Crusius strolled into the courtroom using a dark suit, white t-shirt and glasses. He was sworn in, waived the reading of his indictment and pleaded innocent. The whole hearing lasted less than 3 minutes.
SUSPECT IN CONTENDING TEXAS WALMART INDICTED ON CAPITAL MURDER CHARGE
Around 80 members of the public crammed into the courtroom on the leading flooring of the El Paso County Court house to witness his very first look. A handful wiped away tears as Crusius pronounced his plea. The crowd included a delegation from the Mexican Consulate. 8 Mexican people were killed in the attack and many of the victims had Hispanic surnames. One individual killed was a German person who lived in Ciudad Juarez, throughout the border from El Paso.
Prosecutors allege that Crusius drove more than 10 hours from his home town of Allen, near Dallas, to bring out the shooting, which likewise hurt 24 people Officials say two hurt people remain in the hospital.
Authorities say Crusius gave up to authorities, stating “I’m the shooter” simply obstructs away from the scene. He likewise informed them he was targeting Mexicans who often visited the busy Cielo Vista shopping center, according to an arrest warrant affidavit. Investigators also uncovered a manifesto published hours prior to the shooting that he supposedly wrote “in reaction to the Hispanic invasion of Texas.”
Authorities stated that the writings show a “nexus to a hate criminal offense.”
Regional district attorneys have actually stated they will look for the death sentence. Federal authorities are weighing capital murder and hate criminal offense charges. The Department of Justice has actually called the shooting an act of domestic terrorism.
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Crusius is being held without bond in an El Paso prison. He has actually been on suicide watch since quickly after his arrest and is separated from other detainees.
He is due back in court on Nov. 7.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
