Patrick Crusius, the perpetrator of the 2019 mass shooting at an El Paso Walmart that resulted in 23 deaths, has been offered a plea deal by Texas prosecutors, sparing him the death penalty in his state case.

El Paso County District Attorney James Montoya announced the offer on Tuesday, citing the wishes of the victims’ families to avoid a lengthy trial.

Crusius, 26, is already serving 90 consecutive life sentences in federal prison after pleading guilty to federal hate crime and firearm charges in 2023. In the state case, he faced capital murder charges, which could have led to execution. Montoya explained that after consulting with the victims’ families, the majority preferred a swift resolution rather than enduring years of appeals associated with a death penalty trial, which could extend to 2028 or beyond.

"The vast majority of them want this case over and done with as quickly as possible," Montoya stated during a press conference. Despite his personal belief that Crusius deserves capital punishment, he prioritized the families' emotional and logistical needs.

The decision has sparked political debate, with Texas Governor Greg Abbott expressing his disagreement. "I think the guy does deserve the death penalty. Any shooting like that is what capital punishment is for," Abbott said.

On August 3, 2019, Crusius drove over 700 miles from near Dallas to El Paso, targeting Hispanics. He posted a racist manifesto online before the attack, expressing anti-Hispanic sentiments and praising then-President Donald Trump’s immigration policies. Armed with an AK-style rifle, he killed 23 people inside and outside the Walmart, including U.S. and Mexican citizens.

Defense attorneys have argued that Crusius suffers from schizoaffective disorder, affecting his mental state at the time of the shooting. In 2023, he agreed to pay over $5 million in restitution to victims, despite having limited assets.

Crusius, currently in state custody, will return to federal prison after the state case concludes. His sentencing hearing for the state charges is scheduled for April 21–22. If he accepts the plea deal, it will bring closure to a case that has deeply impacted the El Paso community. (ILKHA)