El Paso Walmart Shooter Pleads Guilty in State Court, Receives Sentence

The resolution of the El Paso Walmart shooting case saw Patrick Crusius plead guilty in state court, providing a somber conclusion to one of the deadliest mass shootings in American history.

Key Takeaways

Patrick Crusius pleaded guilty in state court to murdering 23 people and wounding 22 others in an anti-Hispanic attack at an El Paso Walmart in 2019.
Crusius was sentenced to life in prison without parole for capital murder and life for each of 22 counts of aggravated assault.
The guilty plea comes as part of a plea deal that allows Crusius to avoid a death sentence.
The attack was the sixth-deadliest mass shooting in US history and the deadliest anti-Hispanic violence in modern history.
Crusius drove nearly 700 miles from Allen, Texas, to El Paso to carry out the attack.

The Plea and Sentencing

Patrick Crusius faced trial in state court for the August 3, 2019, attack at an El Paso Walmart, which resulted in the deaths of 23 individuals and injuries to dozens more. On Monday, April 21, he pleaded guilty to capital murder, which led to a sentence of life in prison without parole. Crusius also received life sentences for each of the 22 aggravated assault charges. These sentences will be served concurrently. The plea comes as part of a deal that prevents Crusius from facing the death penalty.

The attack, described as the deadliest anti-Hispanic violence in modern history, was fueled by racial animosity. Crusius had traveled nearly 700 miles from Allen, Texas, to El Paso, targeting Hispanic individuals. During the trial, significant emphasis was placed on the manifesto Crusius posted online before the attack.

Crusius’s sentence in the state of Texas comes after he already pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 90 life sentences for the attack in federal court.

El Paso Walmart shooter Patrick Crusius pleads guilty, gets life without parole https://t.co/rXpLrXNsYn

— USA TODAY (@USATODAY) April 21, 2025

Community Response and Healing

The El Paso community, which suffered a grave loss, continues to try to heal. Over 100 family members of the victims attended the sentencing, illustrating the profound community impact of the tragedy. More than 40 victims asked to share their impact statements, providing a poignant reminder of the lives affected.

Defense Attorney Joe Spencer spoke of the attack’s devastating impact, saying, “On August 3rd 2019, Patrick Crusius afflicted a wound on our community that may never fully heal. He brought violence and terror to a place of peace, shattering lives and forever changing the landscape of El Paso.” He expressed condolences to those affected by the incident.

“On Aug. 3, 2019, you traveled nine hours to a city that would have welcomed you with open arms, but you brought hate,” 409th District Judge Sam 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.”