El Paso suspect allegedly cased Walmart before shooting: Police

ABC News

5 Aug 201907:31

Summary

TLDRThe script recounts the tragic events of mass shootings in El Paso and Dayton, with a rising death toll and a nation demanding action. It details the horrifying experiences of survivors, including a 91-year-old woman recording the chaos and a family who lost their mother while she tried to protect her infant. The narrative also reveals the suspect's actions before the attack and the community's response to the senseless violence, highlighting the devastating impact on families and the urgent call for change.

Takeaways

📰 Two mass shootings occurred within 13 hours in El Paso and Dayton, leading to public outcry for action from leaders.
💔 The death toll in El Paso rose to at least 22, with nine more victims in Dayton, causing immense grief and loss.
🔍 Surveillance footage revealed that the El Paso shooter, Patrick Crusius, aged 21, initially entered the Walmart to scout for targets before returning armed.
🎯 Law enforcement officials believe the suspect targeted Mexicans, entering the Walmart with an assault-style rifle to carry out the attack.
👵 A 91-year-old woman and her daughter survived by hiding under a table and recording the incident on their phone.
👶 A young mother, Jordan Anchondo, died while trying to protect her two-month-old baby, who survived covered in blood but alive.
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 The father, Andre Anchondo, was found near his wife and baby, and the family is now committed to raising their three children together.
🏥 The lead trauma surgeon at Del Sol hospital described the scene as reminiscent of his experiences overseas, highlighting the severity of the situation.
🕊️ The community is rallying to support the victims and their families, emphasizing the need for unity and remembrance.
🔎 The police chief believes the El Paso gunman traveled from Dallas due to the city's demographics and proximity to the U.S.-Mexico border.
🗣️ President Trump addressed the nation, discussing racism, white supremacy, and the role of mental health, video games, and the internet in such incidents.

Q & A

What was the primary demand from the public following the mass shootings?
-The primary demand from the public was for leaders to take action, offering more than just words in response to the mass shootings.
How many people were reported dead in El Paso and Dayton Ohio after the shootings?
-At least 22 people were reported dead in El Paso, and nine more in Dayton, Ohio.
What did the surveillance footage reveal about the suspect's actions before the shooting at the Walmart?
-The surveillance footage showed that the suspect, Patrick Cruces, entered the Walmart without a weapon first, seemingly to case the location before returning armed.
What was the suspect believed to be targeting according to law enforcement officials?
-Law enforcement officials believe the suspect was targeting Mexicans.
What did the 91-year-old woman do during the shooting at the Walmart?
-The 91-year-old woman pulled out her phone and began recording the events unfolding around her in disbelief.
How did the survivor, Sylvia, describe the gunman's actions when he heard customers running past him?
-Sylvia described that when the gunman heard customers running past him, he turned and began firing at those customers instead.
What was the situation of the young mother, Jordan and Shondo, and her baby during the shooting?
-Jordan and Shondo was holding her two-month-old baby during the shooting. She was found dead, but her baby survived, covered in blood but alive.
What was the father's reaction to the loss of his wife and child during the shooting?
-The father, Andre, was found in the Walmart near his wife and baby. He was heartbroken over the loss of his nephew and wished for one last chance to say something to him.
What did the family decide to do for the three young children who lost their parents in the shooting?
-The family decided to raise the three young children together to keep them united, believing that separating them would be the ultimate tragedy.
Why did the police chief believe the gunman traveled to El Paso?
-The police chief believed the gunman traveled to El Paso because of its demographic makeup and its proximity to the U.S.-Mexico border.
What was the role of George Stephanopoulos in the script?
-George Stephanopoulos was the presenter providing an overview of the situation and inviting viewers to subscribe to the ABC News YouTube channel and download the ABC News app for updates.

Outlines

00:00

🔫 El Paso and Dayton Shootings: A Nation's Cry for Action

The script opens with a somber reflection on the recent mass shootings in El Paso and Dayton, which have left the nation in shock and grief. It emphasizes the public's demand for more than just words from leaders, highlighting the lasting impact on the families of the victims. The death toll in El Paso is reported to be at least 22, with nine more in Dayton. The narrative focuses on the chilling details of the El Paso shooting, including the suspect's alleged actions before the attack, as revealed by surveillance footage. It describes the harrowing experiences of survivors, including a 91-year-old woman who recorded the chaos on her phone. The script also touches on President Trump's response to the shootings, mentioning his comments on racism, white supremacy, mental health, and video games. The tragedy's ripple effects on families are underscored, with stories of parents who lost their lives trying to protect their children, leaving behind a legacy of love and sacrifice.

05:02

💔 Heartbreak and Survival: The Human Impact of the El Paso Shooting

This paragraph delves deeper into the personal stories of loss and survival from the El Paso shooting. It recounts the heartbreaking account of a man who lost his nephew in the attack and the heroic efforts of a young mother, Jordan and Shondo, who died protecting her infant. The narrative highlights the baby's miraculous survival, covered in blood but alive, and the family's resolve to keep the children together as a testament to their parents' love and sacrifice. The script also discusses the broader implications of such tragedies on families across the country and the community's determination to honor the memory of the victims. The police chief's assertion that the gunman targeted El Paso due to its demographic and location is also mentioned, adding a layer of complexity to the tragedy.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Mass Shootings

Mass shootings refer to incidents where multiple people are shot and killed, typically in a public place. In the script, the theme revolves around two such incidents happening within 13 hours of each other in El Paso and Dayton Ohio, emphasizing the severity and frequency of gun violence in the country.

💡El Paso

El Paso is a city in Texas where one of the mass shootings took place, resulting in a death toll of at least 22. The script mentions this location to highlight the specific incident and its impact on the community.

💡Dayton Ohio

Dayton Ohio is another location where a mass shooting occurred, with nine people losing their lives. It is mentioned to compare and contrast the two incidents, showing the widespread nature of the issue.

💡Gunman

A gunman is an individual who uses a firearm to commit a violent act. The script describes the actions of the 21-year-old suspect, Patrick Cruces, who entered a Walmart armed with an assault-style rifle, illustrating the role of the perpetrator in such tragedies.

💡Assault-Style Rifle

An assault-style rifle is a type of firearm that resembles military weapons and is capable of rapid firing. The script mentions this to emphasize the lethality of the weapon used in the El Paso shooting.

💡Surveillance

Surveillance refers to the monitoring of activities, often through video recordings. The script mentions surveillance footage obtained by Katie SM, which captured the gunman's actions before the shooting, providing evidence of his intent and preparation.

💡Law Enforcement

Law enforcement is the function of ensuring public order, safety, and security. The script discusses how law enforcement officials are investigating the incidents and providing information about the suspects' actions.

💡Mental Health

Mental health refers to a person's psychological and emotional well-being. The script notes President Trump's comments on mental health as a contributing factor to the shootings, indicating a broader societal issue that may be linked to such violent acts.

💡Racism and White Supremacy

Racism is the belief in the inherent superiority of one race over another, and white supremacy is a specific form of racism advocating for white dominance. The script mentions these concepts as potential motivations behind the shootings, highlighting the ideological aspects of such violence.

💡Victims

Victims are individuals who suffer from a harmful event or action. The script describes various victims, including a 91-year-old woman and a young mother, to humanize the tragedy and convey the personal impact of the shootings.

💡Trauma Surgeon

A trauma surgeon is a medical professional who specializes in treating severe injuries, often resulting from accidents or violence. The script quotes a trauma surgeon comparing the scene at the hospital to his experiences overseas, indicating the severity and scale of the injuries sustained by the victims.

💡Ultimate Sacrifice

The ultimate sacrifice refers to giving up one's life or something of great value for a cause or to protect others. The script recounts a young mother who died while trying to shield her baby, exemplifying the selflessness and bravery of victims in such situations.

Highlights

Two mass shootings occurred 13 hours apart, raising demands for action from the public.

The death toll in El Paso rose to at least 22, with nine more in Dayton, Ohio.

The gunman in the Walmart shooting was identified as 21-year-old Patrick Crusius.

Surveillance footage suggests Crusius entered the Walmart to case the location before returning with a weapon.

Law enforcement believes the suspect targeted Mexicans, entering the Walmart with an assault-style rifle.

A 91-year-old woman recorded the chaos on her phone while hiding in the cafe with her daughter.

Survivors describe crawling across the floor and hiding under tables during the shooting.

A family recounts their experience, with the mother and grandmother narrowly escaping while the gunman was distracted.

The lead trauma surgeon at Del Sol hospital compared the scene to his experiences overseas.

A man describes witnessing the shooting of his 15-year-old nephew, Xavier Rodriguez, inside the Walmart.

A young mother, Jordan Anchondo, was killed while trying to protect her two-month-old baby, who survived.

The father, Andre Anchondo, was found near his wife and baby in the Walmart.

Three young children are now left without their parents, and the family is determined to raise them together.

The police chief believes the gunman traveled to El Paso due to its demographic and proximity to the U.S.-Mexico border.

President Trump addressed the nation, attributing the shootings to mental health, video games, and the internet.

The impact of mass shootings on families is highlighted through the stories of the victims and survivors.