Southland police reassure public after El Paso shooting
LOS ANGELES (FOX 11) - Local law enforcement agencies in Southern California are sending messages of sorrow and vigilance in the wake of a mass shooting at a Walmart in El Paso, Texas, that claimed 20 lives.
"A weekend trip to the mall should not end in bloodshed,'' the Los Angeles Police Department tweeted. “Our hearts go out to the El Paso community, who are dealing with this senseless violence, and the aftermath of a horrific shooting. The LAPD is monitoring the situation and communicating with our law enforcement partners.''
A weekend trip to the mall should not end in bloodshed. Our hearts go out to the El Paso community, who are dealing with this senseless violence, and the aftermath of a horrific shooting. The LAPD is monitoring the situation and communicating with our law enforcement partners. https://t.co/m0RH5Lnl3R
— LAPD HQ (@LAPDHQ) August 3, 2019
The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department tweeted a link to a video on how to survive an active shooter.
The #LASD is following the tragic news of a #massshooting in #ElPaso.We have no info to indicate an Active Shooter Threat in LA County. In the event of an unlikely attack, this trng video is avail in both English and Spanish. Viewer discretion is advised. https://t.co/WDvtQskJZq
— LA County Sheriffs (@LASDHQ) August 3, 2019
The Long Police Department tweeted: "As we hear of the senseless shooting in El Paso, TX we want to assure our #LongBeach community that #LBPD remains vigilant & will be providing extra patrols in shopping center areas. Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of El Paso during this very difficult time.''
The killings were allegedly carried out by 21-year-old Patrick Crusius of Allen, Texas. The suspect was arrested without incident outside the Walmart near the Cielo Vista Mall.
Police say most of the victims were shot at the Walmart.
“The scene was a horrific one,” said El Paso Police Chief Greg Allen, adding that many of the 26 people who were hurt had life-threatening injuries.
The chief said police found a post online possibly written by the suspect.
“Right now we have a manifesto from this individual that indicates, to some degree, it has a nexus to potential hate crime,” Allen said.
Brian Levin, the Director of the Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism, joined us in the studio to talk about that manifesto, mass shootings and hate crimes in the U.S.