Authorities are considering charging the accused gunman with federal hate crimes, as well as federal gun charges that would carry the death penalty.
Two mass shootings in less than 24 hours have shaken the US
Twenty people were killed in a supermarket in El Paso, Texas
Police believe the gunman posted an anti-immigrant ‘manifesto’ online before the attack
In Dayton, Ohio, nine people are dead and the suspect is 24-year-old male
Democratic candidates for the 2020 election are calling for more gun control
Some are also blaming President Trump’s immigration rhetoric but the White House says that is ridiculous
WEB DESK / AGENCIES
At least 29 people were killed and several others injured in two separate mass shooting incidents in United States within 24 hours.
In the first incident, a 21-year-old gunman armed with an assault rifle opened fire at a Walmart store in El Paso town in Texas, killing 20 people. The massacre happened last night, a few miles from the US-Mexico border.
The suspect, identified as Patrick Crusius was taken into custody after he surrendered outside the Walmart store. Police officials said they are investigating an online post reportedly written by the suspect that indicates that the shooting was targetted at Hispanics.
Here’s what you need to know:
Federal officials are investigating the El Paso shooting as an act of domestic terrorism
Suspected gunman had ‘limited’ encounters with the police.
One deadly mass shooting on the heels of another.
El Paso’s wounded have ‘major amounts of tissue injury.’
At a children’s hospital, ‘just trying to remain calm’
Officials say no immigration arrests will be made at shelters or hospitals.
The El Paso shooting is raising tensions in a city already on edge.
The shopping center was a regular destination for Mexican visitors.
The post appeared online about an hour before the shooting and included language that complained about the ‘Hispanic invasion’ of Texas.
President Donald Trump condemned the El Paso attack as an act of cowardice and said there could be no justification for the killing of innocent people.
In the second mass shooting incident, nine people were killed early Sunday morning in Dayton’s Oregon District, a historic neighbourhood known for its nightclubs, bars and art galleries. The shooter was also killed by the responding officers.
The shooting was the eighth-deadliest in modern U.S. history. Five of the top-10 deadliest shooting in US history have come since 2016.
Flags half-mast at White House and all public buildings
A new statement from President Trump says:
“Our nation mourns with those whose loved ones were murdered in the tragic shootings in El Paso, Texas, and Dayton, Ohio, and we share in the pain and suffering of all those who were injured in these two senseless attacks. We condemn these hateful and cowardly acts. Through our grief, America stands united with the people of El Paso and Dayton. May God be with the victims of these two horrific crimes and bring aid and comfort to their families and friends.
“As a mark of solemn respect for the victims of the terrible acts of violence… I hereby order that the flag of the United States shall be flown at half-staff at the White House and upon all public buildings and grounds, at all military posts and naval stations, and on all naval vessels… until sunset, August 8, 2019.
“I also direct that the flag shall be flown at half-staff for the same length of time at all United States embassies, legations, consular offices, and other facilities abroad, including all military facilities and naval vessels and stations.”.