Murder In America | EP. 219: TEXAS — The El Paso Walmart Shooting (Pt. 3)

Main Theme & Purpose

This episode, the final part of a three-part series, details the aftermath of the August 3, 2019 El Paso Walmart mass shooting, the criminal investigation and legal proceedings, and, most importantly, the enduring impact on the victims, their families, and the broader El Paso community. Hosts Courtney and Colin Brown (Bloody FM) center the stories of survivors, grieving relatives, and the city’s unification under the “El Paso Strong” motto, referencing powerful courtroom moments, public memorials, and the search for accountability in the shadow of hate-driven mass violence.

1. The Aftermath: The Scene, Arrest, and Immediate Community Response

The Shooting’s End and the Victims

• The attack lasted three minutes, leaving 23 dead and dozens wounded. Survivors hid or tried to save the injured until police and bystanders rushed in, some using shopping carts to transport victims to ambulances. (03:09–05:48)
• “Three minutes is a relatively short period of time.... But there are some scenarios where three minutes feels like an eternity—when you’re hiding amongst merchandise, holding your breath as a gunman walks past you.” —Courtney Brown (03:09)

The Shooter’s Surrender

• The gunman, Patrick Crusius, left the Walmart, attempted to call 911, then surrendered to police without resistance, admitting, “I am the shooter.” (05:55)
• Despite writing in his online manifesto that “capture in this case is far worse than dying,” he surrendered, “afraid to die when it actually came down to it.” (06:55–07:56, Courtney)

Chaos, Fear, and Public Reactions

• The surrounding area (Walmart, mall) was thrown into panic, with rumors of additional shooters. Police locked down businesses and herded crowds into shaded waiting areas. (09:13–09:43)
• Survivors recounted hiding, helping the wounded, and narrowly evading death. Families desperately tried contacting missing loved ones, often in vain. (10:23–15:30)
• “You can’t imagine the agony the families feel waiting for answers.” —Courtney Brown (12:39)

Community Support

• A reunification center was set up at a nearby school, filled with sobbing, embracing families, and desperate searches for survivors among those escorted from the scene. (11:02–15:30)

2. Investigation, Interrogation, and Revealing Motive

Initial Interrogation

• Crusius waived his rights, described violent thoughts, detailed leaving Dallas to avoid “traumatiz[ing] my parents,” and admitted, “I was bullied in high school by Mexicans... my intent was to shoot Mexicans.” (16:11–23:40)
• He posted his hate-filled manifesto to 8chan before the shooting, explicitly stating his racist, anti-immigrant intent. (23:28)

Key Admission

• “So your intent was to shoot Mexicans?” / “Yeah. I mean, yeah.” (20:57)
• “I was going to commit suicide when I ran away, but I’m too much of a coward.” (21:21, paraphrased by Colin Brown)

Mental Health

• He discussed being on the autism spectrum, past ADHD medication, and hearing violent thoughts. Later defense would cite schizoaffective disorder. (29:48–31:02)

3. Legal and Political Response

Local and Statewide Reaction

• City officials distanced the shooter from El Paso’s values: “This person did not come from El Paso. It's not what we’re about.” —Mayor D. Margo (15:30)
• In a press conference, Governor Greg Abbott famously dodged labeling the massacre a “hate crime,” instead focusing on mental health, which drew criticism, especially as the shooter’s manifesto was public knowledge. (32:25)
• Rep. Veronica Escobar called out the hate-driven motive directly: “The manifesto narrative is fueled by hate and it’s fueled by racism and bigotry and division...” (32:25)

Criminal Charges

• Crusius was indicted on 23 counts of hate crimes resulting in death, 23 counts involving attempted murder, and 45 counts of using a firearm to commit murder. He initially pleaded not guilty. (54:16–55:29)
• Both federal and state authorities considered the death penalty, but ultimately accepted guilty pleas at both levels in lieu of capital punishment. (60:53, 62:17, 78:21, 81:22)
• Judge Sam Medrano, at sentencing: "On August 3, 2019, you traveled nine hours to a city that would have welcomed you with open arms. You brought not peace, but hate.... Your mission failed." (81:51)

Defense and Mental Health Evaluations

• The defense cited a diagnosis of schizoaffective disorder, family history of mental illness, and significant symptoms, but acknowledged these did not excuse the crimes. (59:08–60:53)

Internet’s Role

• The shooter was the third to post a manifesto to 8chan in 2019; the site was deplatformed by Cloudflare after the attack. (56:48–59:08)
  • “8chan has repeatedly proven itself to be a cesspool of hate. … They have created an environment that revels in violating its spirit.” —Cloudflare statement (57:30)

4. The Victims, Their Families, & The Community’s Journey

Personal Stories & Impact Statements

• The episode is filled with moving first-person accounts—from the mothers, children, friends, and spouses whose lives were forever changed. Many statements are read verbatim or played as courtroom audio.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Genesis de Villa (16): “I want you dead. I hate you so much. Not only did you make me and my family suffer, you made my community suffer. And I want you to rot in jail for eternity.” (63:54)
• Thomas Hoffman to the shooter: “If you think killing innocent, defenseless people makes you powerful, you are wrong. … You are nothing without a weapon. … I hope at night you think of all the people you killed. I hope you can’t ever sleep.” (65:45–66:30)
• David Johnson’s granddaughter, Kaitlyn (13): “I imagine every day everywhere I go that there might be a gunman. You are not a monster. You are the devil. I will never forgive you. You took away my childhood.” (68:00)
• Bertha Benavidez: "You never knew the Lord. If you did, you would never have done this. You destroyed so many families." (69:02)
• Margaret Juarez, on the shooter: “Your history teachers must have taught you wrong … We are what makes America great again. Without us, the country and the economy will go down. … The only thing we’re taking away today is your freedom.” (71:51, 74:49)

Acts of Forgiveness

• Family members, after giving impact statements, at sentencing, embraced Crusius, bringing tears to the courtroom. (109:35–110:22)
  • “I hope and pray that you repent and ask the Lord for forgiveness for your soul’s sake. May God have mercy on your soul when your time comes. And I truly say this from the bottom of my heart.” —Yolanda Tinajero, sister of victim Arturo Benavides (109:35)

Public Mourning & Resilience

• Vigils, memorials (like the Grand Candela and granite pillars bearing the victims' names), and symbolic gestures (white crosses, doves, online hashtags) illustrated both local and global support. (42:29–54:16; 110:22)
• Host Colin spoke to the emotional gravity of visiting the memorials: “It was just completely silent, and people were crying, people were hugging each other. You could feel the desperation. … but you could also feel the love.” (42:29–43:13)

5. Healing, Lingering Grief, and El Paso Strong

Long-Lasting Trauma

• Families described ongoing PTSD, difficulty with holidays, and the ripple effects on surviving children and whole communities.
• Memo Garcia, soccer coach, survived for nine months after shielding children with his own body, then became the 23rd fatality. His daughter danced alone at her quinceañera, holding his urn. (52:00, 75:53)

El Paso’s Recovery and Memorialization

• Several powerful memorials were erected; the city adopted the motto “El Paso Strong.”
• “The people of El Paso will never forget August 3, 2019… But as you’ve seen, that mission failed. This tragedy united the people of El Paso like never before. … It showed us that in the face of hatred and evil, there is still goodness in the world.” —Courtney Brown (114:08)

6. Key Timestamps for Reference

• Arrest & chaos in El Paso: 05:55—12:00
• Victims’ families seeking answers: 11:02–15:30
• Shooter’s interrogation/confession: 16:11–31:02
• Local/state/federal reaction & press conferences: 32:25–37:57
• Court proceedings & impact statements: 63:54–110:22 (notably 65:45, 68:00, 74:10, 84:18, 93:37, 101:14, 106:38)
• Community memorials & healing: 42:29, 110:22
• Final sentencing & judge’s address: 81:51

7. Closing Reflections

Host’s Commentary

• Colin and Courtney consistently emphasize the need for change—politically, culturally, and systemically—to prevent gun violence and address hate crimes.
• “Visiting memorials like that and locations of violence just show… if we don’t do something about this, nothing is ever going to change.” —Colin Brown (113:20)

Recurring Message

• El Paso stood together through horror, mourning, and years of legal battles, illustrating unity and "resilience in the face of evil" and making clear, as several speakers said, that the gunman's mission to divide failed utterly.

For listeners new to the series or unfamiliar with the El Paso shooting: This episode offers a profound portrait of the crime's aftermath, the pursuit of justice, and the enduring pain of those left behind, while celebrating the solidarity and humanity of a wounded city. The hosts' commitment to detail and amplification of victims’ voices ensures their stories are not forgotten.