Death Penalty Dropped for El Paso Walmart Shooter in Plea Deal

Patrick Crusius, who killed 23 people in a 2019 racially motivated attack, is expected to plead guilty to state charges and receive a life sentence without parole.

El Paso District Attorney James Montoya announced the decision to withdraw the death penalty after consulting with victims' families, most of whom supported a quicker resolution.
Patrick Crusius is set to plead guilty to state charges on April 21, 2025, in exchange for a life sentence without the possibility of parole.
Crusius is already serving 90 consecutive life terms in federal prison after pleading guilty to hate crime and weapons charges in 2023.
The 2019 Walmart shooting targeted Latinos and remains the deadliest terror attack against Hispanics in U.S. history, killing 23 people and injuring 22 others.
Years of delays in the state case, caused by prosecutorial turnover, misconduct allegations, and the COVID-19 pandemic, influenced the decision to prioritize closure for victims' families.