Tag Archives: el paso walmart shooting

Following the concluding Celebration of Mass of the Hope Border Institute’s 2019 Teach-In: Jornada por la justicia, Most Rev. Mark J. Seitz, Bishop of the Diocese of El Paso, signed and released a pastoral letter on the theme of racism and the El Paso shooting which took place on August 3rd, 2019.

“The pastoral letter, entitled, Night Will Be No More, represents a major statement from the Catholic community on the intersecting issues of race, gun violence, racially motivated attacks on Latinos in the United States and the ongoing militarization of the border,” Diocese of El Paso officials shared.

“It will be the first major statement from the Catholic Church on the theme of racism from the perspective of the border and connects the El Paso shooting to historical racism at the border and the recent resurgence of racism against Latinos in the United States,” officials added.

The signing of the pastoral letter will took place in the presence of hundreds of Latino leaders who were in El Paso for the Jornada por la justicia, including the Latinx Catholic Leadership Coalition, an emerging coalition of faith leaders, theologians and labor leaders recently formed in response to recent events at the border.

To read his complete letter on the Hope Border Institute website, click on the link below.

The man accused of killing 22 people and injuring more than two dozen others in the August 3rd shooting at the Cielo Vista Walmart plead not guilty at his first appearance in court Thursday afternoon.

Amid the clicking shutters of cameras and the hushed whispers of those in attendance in the packed El Paso County Ceremonial Courtroom, Patrick Crusius entered and at times stood with a neutral look on his face as the arraignment proceedings went on around him.

Security was tight in and around the court, as uniformed Sheriff’s Deputies, as well as other law enforcement  were visible.  Several deputies stood side by side, facing the courtroom’s gallery.

During the brief hearing, Crusius was sworn in, and then advised the court that he did not want the charges read to him; instead Crusius received a transcript and read them himself.

He then pleaded not guilty to the charges, surrounded by his lawyers and security personnel.

Judge Sam Medrano, of the 409th state District Court presiding over the hearing, then set another hearing for November 7th at 2 p.m.

District Attorney Jaime Esparza did not comment on the case.  Esparza is seeking the death penalty in this case.

Photos by Ruben R. Ramirez / El Paso Herald-Post

El Paso Mayor Dee Margo on Friday doubled down on his support of stricter background checks on Friday but stopped short of supporting other gun control measures like “red flag” laws and an assault weapons ban. And — unlike his fellow El Pasoan Beto O’Rourke — he said outright that he did not support any kind of mandatory buyback program.

The Republican and former state legislator spoke at a Texas Tribune Festival panel alongside Dayton, Ohio, Mayor Nan Whaley, a Democrat. The cities saw deadly mass shootings on the same weekend last month.

Days after the shootings, Margo and Whaley were among a bipartisan group of more than 200 U.S. mayors who called on the U.S. Senate to return from recess to pass background check legislation — a request Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell declined.

On Friday, they agreed that background checks are a necessary first step before exploring other types of gun control measures, including red flag laws, though Whaley expressed more pointed support for other policies.

Author:  KIAH COLLIER – The Texas Tribune

Read related Tribune coverage

• Analysis: Texas gun laws might not change, but the conversation is evolving
• El Paso shooting suspect said he ordered his AK-47 and ammo from overseas
• Gov. Greg Abbott vetoed a proposed Texas law banning guns in secure airport areas. Supporters say it’s still needed.

In support of community relief and recovery following the tragic August events in El Paso, Macy’s has donated a total of $100,773 to the El Paso Victims Relief Fund, established by the Paso del Norte Community Foundation.

For immediate support, Macy’s donated $20,000 to the organization in August.

From August 6 through August 20, Macy’s stores throughout the state of Texas offered customers the opportunity to round-up their in-store purchase to the nearest dollar (up to $.99) to benefit the El Paso Victims Relief Fund, $80,773 was raised through the round-up campaign with 100 percent of the funds benefitting victims and their families affected by the tragedy.

Macy’s colleagues will present the total check donation on Monday, September 16 at Macy’s Cielo Vista.

As part of this, Macy’s would also like to recognize the significant contributions of El Paso’s local heroes – the first responders.

Any first responders who arrive at the event between 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. will receive a $25 Macy’s gift card as well as a special shopping experience with a Macy’s Personal Stylist and beauty experts.

Customers will also be able to enjoy light refreshments during the event.

Macy’s officials added that they will “continue to work with the El Paso community to identify meaningful ways to support our neighbors and friends impacted by this tragedy.”

On Tuesday, the Museums and Cultural Affairs Department announced that they created a Digital Memorial to honor the victims of the August 3^rd shooting at Walmart on the Digital Wall of the El Paso Museum of History.  

“This digital documentation signifies the importance and accessibility for archiving history that is occurring in this very moment,” said El Paso Museum of History Director Vladimir von Tsurikov. “This memorial will not only provide healing to community members that submit their photographs for the archive but will also serve as a capsule to preserve and record this detrimental time in El Paso history.”

Staff members with the museum of history encourage the community to submit their photos or videos to the digital memorial at www.DIGIE.org.

The submissions can commemorate the lives and legacies of the victims, moments of vigils and memorials, or community events that supported the El Paso Shooting Victims Fund.

The digital memorial can be accessed on the wall by touching the blooming Mexican Gold Poppies that have been added to the El Paso Cityscape. In many cultures, poppies symbolize consolation for a loss or death in the family, remembering the fallen, and resurrection and eternal life.

The Mexican Gold Poppy was chosen for the Digital Wall Memorial because it is native to the El Paso region. In the spring, the poppies blanket the Franklin Mountains.

Photos must be in jpeg, png or gif and no larger than 10 megabytes when submitted. Videos must be no longer than 3 minutes. The files should be a mov, avi or mp4 video and no larger than 50 megabytes.

Residents who have trouble uploading files can email digitalwall@elpasotexas.gov.

The Digital Memorial is currently on view and available for public contribution.

Nearly a month removed from the shooting at the Cielo Vista Walmart that took the lives of 22 people and injured over two dozen others, El Paso’s own music superstar Khalid returned to the Sun City to help raise money for victims.

Our very own Andres ‘Ace’ Acosta was there and we bring you his view of the ‘Benefit for Sun City’ in this ‘Story in Many Pics’

El Paso Streetcar officials announced that starting Tuesday, September 3, the fares for the will be waived in order to encourage ridership. Simultaneously, the City will be collecting donations for the development of a permanent El Paso Strong Memorial.

“Our region is united in the effort to develop a place of healing and support for everyone impacted by the recent horrific act of violence. I’m confident our El Paso Streetcar riders will welcome the El Paso Strong Ride project as an opportunity to support the creation of a memorial of local, regional and national significance that will celebrate life and condemn racism,” said Tracey Jerome, Managing Director of Museum and Cultural Affairs, Libraries and Tourism.

In an effort to encourage people to ride the El Paso Streetcar, the fares will be waived throughout September.  In addition, riders will have the opportunity to donate via the streetcar fare boxes to the El Paso Strong Ride Project, a fundraising effort in support of the development of a permanent memorial to honor the victims and survivors of the domestic terrorism attack on August 3.

The City of El Paso is working with public and private organizations to develop a permanent memorial honoring the victims and survivors of the attack.

The El Paso Streetcar will accept donations of any amount via its fare boxes.

The El Paso Strong Ride project follows a series of summer special events designed to encourage the public to rediscover downtown and uptown by riding the historic streetcars.

The El Paso Streetcar operates Sunday through Wednesday 11 a.m. to midnight, and Thursday through Saturday 11 a.m. to 3 a.m.

Riders can plan their trips by using an app that provides real-time information on the location of all streetcars in service along the nearly 5-mile route.  The app is free and available from Google Play and the Apple App store.

For more information about the El Paso Streetcar visit the website,  call (915) 212-3333, ‘like’ their Facebook page or follow them Instagram.

In an effort to help students, staff and community members heal, the University of Texas at El Paso is hosting  “Trauma, Resilience & Resistance,” an interdisciplinary response to the recent gun violence in El Paso.

Gina Nuñez-Mchiri, Ph.D., director of UTEP’s Women’s and Gender Studies program and associate professor of anthropology, said UTEP students requested this event to give them a chance to interact with others on campus to address some of the issues tied to the August 3, 2019, massacre where a lone gunman killed 22 and injured 24 at the Cielo Vista Walmart.

“Healing takes time,” said Nuñez-Mchiri, the event’s lead organizer who added that she hoped that this was the start of a series. “This event is one way that UTEP faculty, staff, students and community partners can share their expertise to help with the healing process. Once word of this activity got out, colleagues reached out. They wanted to help.”

The two day event is underway now, and will run from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, August 28 and 29, 2019, at UTEP’s Blumberg Auditorium.

UTEP faculty members from the colleges of Education, Liberal Arts and Health Sciences, and other presenters from the Border Network for Human Rights and The University of Texas at Austin will conduct many of the lectures, workshops and dialogues during the two-day event in the Blumberg on the first floor of the University Library.

This free event is for the UTEP community, but the public may attend.  To view the schedule of events, click here.

Gov. Greg Abbott on Thursday convened the first meeting of the newly formed Texas Safety Commission, ramping up the state’s efforts to devise policy solutions in the wake of the deadly shooting targeting immigrants and Hispanics earlier this month in El Paso.

For over four hours, the commission — which includes state leaders, lawmakers and law enforcement officials — met behind closed doors at the Capitol in what Abbott described as the “next step to make sure that we respond robustly and rapidly to the” El Paso attack.

Speaking with reporters at the end of the meeting, Abbott rattled off a long list of items that were discussed — stronger threat assessment efforts, better collaboration between social media companies and law enforcement, strengthening the state’s domestic terrorism law. He also broached more politically sensitive issues related to guns, saying there was discussion surrounding red flag laws — or at least an alternative to them — background checks and assault weapons.

“I think the conversation went in a lot of different directions,” state Rep. Joe Moody, D-El Paso, told reporters after the meeting. “Guns were discussed extensively — what we have under current law, what we can do under potential news laws. I think everything was on the table.”

“It was a very open and candid conversation and I’m certainly encouraged by the fact we’re trying to build consensus” around the issues, added Moody, the House speaker pro tem.

Twenty-two people were killed and more than two dozen wounded in the El Paso shooting, which took place Aug. 3 at a Walmart. Authorities believe the gunman, who was arrested and charged with capital murder, published an anti-immigrant manifesto shortly before the massacre, railing against a “Hispanic invasion of Texas.”

Thursday was the first of two meetings that are planned for the safety commission, with the second one scheduled for next Thursday in El Paso. The meetings are similar to a series of roundtables that Abbott held in the wake of the 2018 Santa Fe High School shooting, and he presented a stack of papers to reporters Thursday to illustrate how many proposals came out of those roundtables that he signed into law.

Like he did after the Santa Fe roundtables, Abbott plans to issue a report with recommendations following the post-El Paso meetings. The governor, who has resisted pleas by some House Democrats to call a special session after El Paso, said the commission will focus on “ideas and suggestions that can lead to laws” but emphasized the state can take more immediate action without legislation.

Author: PATRICK SVITEK – The Texas Tribune

El Paso shooting

More than 20 people were killed in an Aug. 3, 2019, shooting rampage at a Walmart in El Paso. The gunman was arrested and charged with capital murder for the shooting in El Paso, which is recoveringfrom what federal law enforcement has classified as an act of domestic terrorism.

MORE IN THIS SERIES 

On Wednesday, officials with the Paso del Norte Community Foundation accepted a $100,000 donation from Wells Fargo.

Well Fargo contributed $50,000 for the El Paso Victims Relief Fund and $50,000 for United Way’s El Paso Community Assistance Fund within the Paso del Norte Community Foundation.

Officials say the donations will go a long way to helping the community and the victims and their families in the wake of the of Saturday, August 3rd shooting.

The El Paso Community Assistance Fund was established to rebuild the resources and capacity of local partners offering services including crisis counseling, emergency food and shelter, disaster response, and other needs as they arise.

The El Paso Victims Relief Fund was established to accept monetary donations to support victims and their families affected by the tragedy.

To donate, click here.

In the span of just two weeks, Antonio Basco has lived the range of emotions many will never experience.

On August 3rd, Basco’s wife, Margie Reckard, was shot and killed during the Walmart shooting.  In the hours and days after the shooting, it came to be known that Basco had no family in town to attend Margie’s service, so he invited entire community to her services.

And El Pasoans came out.

As thousands of fellow El Pasoans grieved with Basco, sometime Saturday night his work truck and tools were stolen.  The truck was returned, wrecked and vandalized on Sunday.

Enter El Pasoans once again.

With the support of the Team Casa family of dealerships, an anonymous person who donated a new power washer to him, a trailer donated by Desert Haven and various car accessories donated by AutoZone – Basco was given the keys to a brand-new Ford on Monday afternoon.

Our very own Johnny Yturrales was there and we bring you his view of the special donations in this gallery.  Video below is courtesy Casa Ford / Facebook

After a gunman took the life of Margie Reckard in a mass shooting at a Walmart store two weeks ago, her husband Antonio Basco didn’t have any other family in this town. So he invited all El Pasoans to celebrate “the love of his life” at her funeral Friday.

Their response overwhelmed him.

Hundreds of people began lining up outside La Paz Faith Memorial and Spiritual Center in Central El Paso at about 5 p.m. The line of supporters eventually spanned several blocks and grew to nearly 1,000. A group of motorcyclists that included several veterans stood at attention while holding American flags. Later, neighbors set up a buffet line for supporters who were still in line as the afternoon turned to evening.

Basco thanked the people there for the support. A thin, 61-year old man who walks with the help of a cane, he greeted hundreds of supporters inside the church, where mariachis serenaded parishioners before an hour-long prayer service delivered by Bishop Harrison Johnson. But the El Pasoans who lined up to offer their condolences said they also owed Basco for offering them a chance to come together and try to heal as a community.

Dean Eckard, Reckard’s son who came to El Paso from Omaha for the services, described her as a gentle soul who “had it tough” growing up.

“But when she met Tony though, she seemed really happy and in love,” he said. Eckard added that his mother was battling Parkinson’s disease when she died. “For Tony to stick by her through those years … I can’t thank you enough.”

Earlier this week Basco told CNN that he takes fresh flowers to a vigil at the Walmart everyday. In a video posted by the news outlet, Basco could be seen speaking to his wife at the site of a white cross that bears her name.

“There’s going to be a lot of people. I told you you were important,” he said before the funeral. “So what you been up to? What are you going to do up there? I wish you could tell me something.”

The attack on Aug. 3 killed 22 people and is being investigated as a hate crime. Authorities believe the gunman posted an online manifesto railing against the “invasion” of Texas by immigrants and Mexicans. Friday’s funeral was one of the final services for the victims of the massacre, which included eight Mexican citizens. The attack has thrust the issue of gun control back into the spotlight; Gov. Greg Abbott has announced the creation of a domestic terrorism task force.

State Rep. Joe Moody, an El Paso Democrat, said the display was a physical manifestation of the city still trying to make sense of the tragedy.

“This is a very real way for everyone to openly grieve and go through that process. When you lose someone in your personal life, this is a part of that process you go through,” he said. “I think our community lost something and this is our community grieving together.”

Politics wasn’t a major theme Friday night. But Salvador Perches, owner of Perches Funeral Homes who coordinated the service, announced he ordered 22 hearses to deliver the hundreds of floral arrangements donated for the funeral to the Walmart parking lot to honor the victims.

He also hopes to make a point.

“We’re going to make a statement to the world,” he said. “That something is wrong, and something needs to change.”

Disclosure: Walmart has been a financial supporter of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribune’s journalism. Find a complete list of them here.

Author:  JULIÁN AGUILAR – The Texas Tribune

El Paso shooting

More than 20 people were killed in an Aug. 3, 2019, shooting rampage at a Walmart in El Paso. The gunman was arrested and charged with capital murder for the shooting in El Paso, which is recoveringfrom what federal law enforcement has classified as an act of domestic terrorism.

MORE IN THIS SERIES 

Earlier this week, Tenet Healthcare Corporation presented a $350,000 donation to the El Paso Community Foundation to support victims and families affected by the tragic events on August 3.

“The El Paso Community is inspired by the outpouring of compassion shown by Tenet and the Hospitals of Providence,” said Eric Pearson, president of the El Paso Community Foundation. “This is a bittersweet embrace of our community, coming together in the wake of this tragedy.”

The gift was made by the Tenet Healthcare Foundation and will go directly to the El Paso Community Foundation’s Shooting Victims’ Relief Fund, a 501(c)(3) organization.

Mr. Rittenmeyer said, “We have provided care to the El Paso Community for over 40 years. The response from our Tenet employees around the country as well as our business partners to support victims and their families in El Paso was immediate and heartwarming. I am extremely proud of our Tenet Family for their generosity and kindness to a community still suffering greatly from a truly senseless act.”

As previously announced, The Tenet Healthcare Foundation pledged to contribute $100,000 to the El Paso Community Foundation and provide an additional match for the first $50,000 in donations.

Through the generosity of employees and business partners, the final contribution of $350,000 far exceeded that initial commitment.

On Monday, Aug, 12, Tenet Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Ron Rittenmeyer, along with colleagues from Tenet and The Hospitals of Providence, participated in a ceremony in El Paso to honor the community and those who lost their lives during the tragedy.

At the ceremony, which was held at The Hospitals of Providence East Campus and attended by caregivers and first responders, Mr. Rittenmeyer presented the donation to the El Paso Community Foundation.

With 5,300 team members in El Paso, Tenet is the city’s second-largest private employer. The company operates four acute care hospitals under The Hospitals of Providence brand and more than 50 outpatient centers, physician clinics and other care facilities throughout the area.

Tuesday morning, El Paso’s own global superstar Khalid formally announced that on September 1st he will headline a benefit concert along with special guests at the Don Haskins Center in El Paso.

The concert is in support of Khalid’s hometown and in response to the tragic mass shooting on August 3.

“I have been rocked to the core by the horrific act of gun violence that came to El Paso, and by the continued acts of senseless violence that our country faces daily,” Khalid shares. “I want to give back to my community of El Paso, the city of the 915, who has given so much to me. Please come out and let’s heal together through music while raising money to help those who need it.

Khalid will be raising funds through this concert to support the El Paso Shooting Victims’ Fund and the El Paso Community Foundation.

Dr. Heather Wilson, The University of Texas at El Paso Incoming President adds, “Khalid’s generous offer to put on a benefit concert is a touching example of the spirit of caring and kindness that typifies El Paso.  We will come together to help and to heal.  I invite you to join us at the concert to honor and support the victims and their families.”

In addition to attending the concert, donations for this cause can only be made directly through www.thegreatkhalidfoundation.org or by purchasing one of the commemorative shirts.

Tickets for the concert will go on sale Wednesday, August 14th at 10am local time at LiveNation.com. This event is presented by The Great Khalid Foundation and manager Courtney Stewart’s Right Hand Foundation, and produced by Live Nation.

On Monday, officials with the two largest shooting victims funds announced that Stephanie Karr has been appointed to assist in distributing funds raised for victims of the August 3, 2019 shooting.

The Paso del Norte Community Foundation and the El Paso Community Foundation jointly appointed Ms. Karr to coordinate disbursement of victim relief funds which have been donated to both foundations.

Ms. Karr, who recently retired from the El Paso Center Against Sexual and Family Violence, is a veteran non-profit leader, with experience serving people who have survived traumatic incidents.

“I am honored to work with these two foundations who are leading relief funds collection. We want to assure our families that we will work diligently and fairly for them to receive the help they need,” said Ms. Karr.

“Stephanie’s experience and knowledge will help us coordinate our mutual efforts,” said Eric Pearson, President and CEO of the El Paso Community Foundation. “We are proud of how our community and our country have come together during this dark period.”

“El Pasoans’ generosity continues to be an inspiration to all of us,” said Tracy Yellen, CEO of the Paso del Norte Foundation. “Our collaboration to serve victims and their families is of utmost importance.”

A local task force will guide local efforts for distribution.  Additionally, the National Compassion Fund, a nonprofit organization who has worked with other communities who have experienced mass shootings, will provide assistance.

“We are ensuring that we have a fair, transparent and equitable system in place that will provide maximum relief to families.”, said Ms. Karr.  Both foundations have waived administrative and credit card fees for donations received.  Local groups who have raised funds may coordinate the distribution of those funds through this joint effort.

The Family Assistance Center has been set up at the Judson Williams Convention Center to provide coordinated services to families. Several local, state and federal agencies, as well as non-profit service providers, are present to provide help to families. Also, families can contact the District Attorney Victim Assistance Services office at (915) 546-2091.

Donations can be made to the El Paso Community Foundation or the Paso del Norte Community Foundation.