UN Chief Condemns Weekend Hate-Inspired Mass Shooting In US City El Paso
Credit: Gary Raynaldo / UN Secretary-General António Guterres (Diplomatic Times file photo)
By Gary Raynaldo DIPLOMATIC TIMES
UNITED NATIONS – NEW YORK – UN Secretary-General António Guterres condemned “in the strongest term” Saturday’s domestic terrorist attack in El Paso, Texas that left 22 persons dead and injured dozens. The suspect in the massacre at a Walmart in El Paso allegedly cased the store, looking for Mexicans to kill before returning to unleash a barrage of gunfire.In the hours following the attack, there was another mass shooting across the country in Dayton, Ohio. Police said nine people were killed by a gunman there who was shot to death by responding officers.
“He (Secretary-General Guterres) also expresses his shock and outrage over the mass shooting only hours later in Dayton, Ohio. He extends his heartfelt condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims and expresses his solidarity with the peoples and Governments of the United States and Mexico, from where a number of those killed and injured in the El Paso attack hailed. The Secretary-General stresses the need for all to work together to counter violence rooted in hatred, racism, xenophobia and all forms of discrimination.”
-UN Secretary-General spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said Monday.
Credit: Gary Raynaldo / Secretary-General spokesperson Stephane Dujarric at press conference at UN world headquarters in New York Aug. 5, 2019.
The suspect, 21-year-old Patrick Crusius, was taken into custody after 20 people were killed and 26 others were injured. Two of the injured died in a hospital Monday, raising the death toll to 22, in a horrific massacre Federal prosecutors are investigating as case of domestic terrorism. Officials have referenced a document allegedly left behind by Crusius, and said the shooting may have a “nexus” to a hate crime. The writer of the document denounces the increasing Hispanic population of Texas and gives that as a reason for his action. The shooting occurred some five miles from the US-Mexico border.
