El Paso suspect allegedly cased Walmart before shooting: Police

Summary

The 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.