Man Who Carried Out El Paso Walmart Attack Pleads Guilty in State Court

Patrick Crusius, the perpetrator of a deadly attack, has pleaded guilty to state charges of capital murder for killing 23 people at an El Paso Walmart in 2019, receiving multiple life sentences without the possibility of parole.

Key Insights

Crusius pleaded guilty in state court to murdering 23 people and wounding 22 others in an anti-Hispanic attack, receiving life in prison without parole for each count.
The August 3, 2019 attack stands as the sixth-deadliest mass shooting in US history and the deadliest anti-Hispanic violence in modern American history.
The defendant drove nearly 700 miles from Allen, Texas, to specifically target Hispanic shoppers at the El Paso Walmart.
District Attorney James Montoya opted not to pursue the death penalty in the state case, following Crusius’s earlier federal conviction that resulted in 90 consecutive life terms.
Over 100 family members attended the sentencing, with more than 40 victims asking to deliver impact statements.

Details of the Attack and Guilty Plea

Patrick Crusius has pleaded guilty to state charges of capital murder for killing 23 people and wounding 22 others during his 2019 rampage at an El Paso Walmart. The defendant was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the capital murder charge, plus life sentences for each of the 22 counts of aggravated assault, to be served concurrently. This state conviction follows his earlier guilty plea to federal hate crimes and weapons charges, for which he received 90 consecutive life terms in federal prison, ensuring he will never be released.

The August 3, 2019 attack stands as the sixth-deadliest mass shooting in US history and represents the deadliest anti-Hispanic violence in modern American history. Crusius drove nearly 700 miles from his home in Allen, Texas, specifically to target Hispanic shoppers at the busy Walmart near the US-Mexico border. The victims ranged in age from 15 to 90 years old and included both American and Mexican citizens, reflecting the cross-border nature of the El Paso community that came under attack that day.

BREAKING: The gunman who killed 23 people in a racist attack at a Walmart in El Paso, Texas, has pleaded guilty to capital murder in a state district court. https://t.co/Ojrs0ay22L

— The Associated Press (@AP) April 21, 2025

Motivation Behind the Attack

Prior to carrying out the massacre, Crusius posted a four-page manifesto online that detailed his white nationalist ideology and motivation for targeting Hispanics. In addressing Crusius, District Court Judge Sam Medrano said, “On Aug. 3, 2019, you traveled nine hours to a city that would have welcomed you with open arms, but you brought hate,” Medrano said. “Now, as you begin to spend your life in prison, know your mission failed. You didn’t make this community weaker, you made it stronger.”

Court documents revealed that Crusius was diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder, though mental health factors did not prevent him from facing full legal accountability for his actions. After the shooting, he surrendered to police officers and immediately confessed, stating explicitly that he had targeted Mexicans. His manifesto and subsequent statements showed he had planned the attack with the intention of deterring Hispanic immigration to Texas.

Legal Proceedings and Community Impact

The decision by District Attorney James Montoya not to pursue the death penalty in the state case came after careful consideration of the federal conviction already secured. With Crusius already facing 90 consecutive life terms in federal prison without the possibility of release, the prosecution focused on securing a swift conviction that would provide some measure of closure to the community.

More than 100 family members of victims attended the sentencing, with over 40 asking to deliver victim impact statements. The guilty plea allows victims’ families to avoid the trauma of a lengthy trial while ensuring the perpetrator will remain imprisoned for the remainder of his life.