The state of Texas is reeling following the mass shooting in El Paso, Texas that killed 22 and wounded 26 on Saturday, August 3. The attack was carried out by a 21-year-old man, now in state custody, who traveled to the border city from a Dallas suburb to carry out the attack after posting an anti-immigrant manifesto on far-right website 8chan.
State legislators have not reached consensus on the path forward to prevent such mass shootings, despite a 44-page school and firearm safety plan Gov. Abbott released in 2018 following last year’s school shooting at Santa Fe High School that killed 10 and wounded 13.
Here, in their own words, is how top Texas legislators and those representing districts in El Paso and along the border have responded to the attack.
Gov. Greg Abbott (R)
“Today, the El Paso community was struck by a heinous and senseless act of violence. Our hearts go out to the victims of this horrific shooting and to the entire community in this time of loss. While no words can provide the solace needed for those impacted by this event, I ask that all Texans join Cecilia and me in offering our prayers for the victims and their families. The state of Texas and the Department of Public Safety are assisting the El Paso Police Department as they conduct their investigation. We have deployed troopers, special agents, Texas Rangers, tactical teams, and aircraft to the scene in a support role. The state of Texas will do everything it can to ensure justice is delivered to the perpetrators of this heinous act.”
Some Texas justice will be served up. https://t.co/u1IvHraWI6
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) August 5, 2019
Our hearts will forever be with the people of El Paso.
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) August 4, 2019
We pray that God will touch all affected with the healing and hope only He can provide.
Texas will use every tool and strategy we possess to aid and support the victims and their families.
God Bless El Paso. #txlege pic.twitter.com/6rVZVmDyI1
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick (R)
Texas Lieutenant Gov. Dan Patrick—R, said in an interview with Fox & Friends yesterday morning: “How long are we going to ignore…the video game industry?” “In this manifesto that we believe is from the shooter, this manifesto where he talks about living out his super soldier fantasy on Call of Duty. We know the video game industry is bigger than the movie and music industry combined.” “This was maybe a video game to this evil demon,” Patrick continued. “A video game to him. He has no sense of humanity, no sense of life.”
“Texas Lt. Governor Dan Patrick issued a warning to the left-wing anti-fascist group Antifa to stay out of the state in the wake of the El Paso mass shooting, despite reports that the shooting suspect had ties to the far right and was a vocal supporter of Donald Trump.”
My statement on the El Paso shooting. #txlege pic.twitter.com/4o14vLzxOe
— Office of the Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick (@LtGovTX) August 3, 2019
Land Commissioner George P. Bush, (R-Fort Worth)
“There have now been multiple attacks from self-declared white terrorists here in the US in the last several months. This is a real and present threat that we must all denounce and defeat”
“Conservatives have not been afraid to confront extremism in our world, and we must not be afraid to confront terrorism here at home.”
Dennis Bonnen, (R-Angleton)
Heartbreaking news out of El Paso. @TxDPS, @moodyforelpaso, @CesarJBlanco & I have been in communication with first responders who are working to put a stop to this horrible tragedy. Please heed the warnings of officers & stay clear of the area. Stay safe El Paso. We’re with you.
— Speaker Dennis Bonnen (@RepDennisBonnen) August 3, 2019
Multiple individuals have been transported to hospitals & are in need of blood. There are 2 blood donation centers currently open: Vitalant Blood Services on 424 S. Mesa Hills Dr & on 1338 N Zaragoza Rd. If you are willing & able, please donate. #ElPaso https://t.co/WWmdX6Eyl7
— Mary E. Gonzalez (@RepMaryGonzalez) August 3, 2019
Blood needed urgently. Multiple injured transported to various hospitals. Blood donation centers Vitalent Blood Services at 424 s Mesa Hills and 133 N Zaragoza
— EL PASO POLICE DEPT (@EPPOLICE) August 3, 2019
#ElPaso Shooting Family Reunification Center located at MacArthur Middle School 8101 Whitus Dr
— Cesar Blanco (@CesarJBlanco) August 3, 2019
El Paso, TX 79925
United States
#ElPaso Shooting Family Reunification Center located at MacArthur Middle School 8101 Whitus Dr
— Cesar Blanco (@CesarJBlanco) August 3, 2019
El Paso, TX 79925
United States
United Blood Service will resume donations tomorrow from 8am- 5pm at 3 locations around the city.
— Lina Ortega (@lina4texas) August 3, 2019
1338 N. Zaragoza, El Paso, TX
425 S. Mesa Hills, EL Paso, TX
& Abundant Living Faith Center @ 1000 Valley Crest, El Paso TX
Rep. Joe Moody, (D-El Paso)
The bonds of love and fellowship we all share are stronger than the hatred and fear that confronts us now. Let’s stand in that power together and lift each other up. #EPStrong #ElPaso #txlege @JoseforTexas @RepMaryGonzalez @CesarJBlanco @lina4texas @ArtFierro79 pic.twitter.com/1J21aUE7ao
— Joe Moody (@moodyforelpaso) August 4, 2019
The boys are asleep in bed—safe. Too many families in #ElPaso don’t have that comfort tonight. There’s a long way to go to heal this hurt. There’s a lot of work to do to ensure this doesn’t happen again. God give us the strength to heal and the courage to work. #ElPasoStrong
— Joe Moody (@moodyforelpaso) August 4, 2019
Appreciate the outpouring of support on this dark day. State & local leaders & law enforcement are working to keep El Pasoans safe & informed. I’ll be sharing as I learn more. Please stay safe and beware of spreading unconfirmed rumors—we need facts, not fear. #ElPaso #EPStrong
— Joe Moody (@moodyforelpaso) August 3, 2019
#ElPasoShooting: how you can help, where to get help https://t.co/cspN3L1ahR via @elpasotimes #ElPasoStrong
— Cesar Blanco (@CesarJBlanco) August 4, 2019
Blood needed urgently. Multiple injured transported to various hospitals. Blood donation centers Vitalent Blood Services at 424 s Mesa Hills and 133 N Zaragoza
— EL PASO POLICE DEPT (@EPPOLICE) August 3, 2019
Heartbreaking news out of El Paso. @TxDPS, @moodyforelpaso, @CesarJBlanco & I have been in communication with first responders who are working to put a stop to this horrible tragedy. Please heed the warnings of officers & stay clear of the area. Stay safe El Paso. We’re with you.
— Speaker Dennis Bonnen (@RepDennisBonnen) August 3, 2019
Truly heartbreaking. Stay safe, El Paso. Please follow all directions of emergency personnel as we continue to get more updates. https://t.co/BU0AH6Y8Rv
— Beto O’Rourke (@BetoORourke) August 3, 2019
Active Shooting Stay away from Cielo Vista Mall Area. Scene is Still Active.
— EL PASO POLICE DEPT (@EPPOLICE) August 3, 2019
Rep. Mary Gonzalez, (D-El Paso)
Please be advised https://t.co/vLFaCpSW5S
— Mary E. Gonzalez (@RepMaryGonzalez) August 3, 2019
#ElPaso Shooting Family Reunification Center located at MacArthur Middle School 8101 Whitus Dr
— Cesar Blanco (@CesarJBlanco) August 3, 2019
El Paso, TX 79925
United States
Blood needed urgently. Multiple injured transported to various hospitals. Blood donation centers Vitalent Blood Services at 424 s Mesa Hills and 133 N Zaragoza
— EL PASO POLICE DEPT (@EPPOLICE) August 3, 2019
Finding the words right now is hard. It is heart breaking that one of the most kind and loving communities is facing such a tragedy. For anyone who wants to help the victims the El Paso Community Foundation is collecting donations: https://t.co/wQyLvl5b6H #elpasostrong #txlege
— Mary E. Gonzalez (@RepMaryGonzalez) August 3, 2019
Today has been heartbreaking, sad, and overwhelming. But in the moments of heartbreak, feeling love and pride in the strength of the El Paso Community, the love of the members of the #txlege and the families who are resilient. We are #elpasostrong and #elpasolove.
Rep. Lina Ortega, (D-El Paso)
Devastating situation developing in El Paso. Please stay safe and follow the direction of our emergency personnel. https://t.co/oSVnjCaCxF
— Lina Ortega (@lina4texas) August 3, 2019
This tragedy is difficult to understand. My heart is breaking for all of our families who have been affected. I know our community will come together to support everyone impacted by this cowardly act.
— Lina Ortega (@lina4texas) August 3, 2019
— Lina Ortega (@lina4texas) August 3, 2019
“The bonds of love and fellowship we all share are stronger than the hatred and fear that confronts us now. Let’s stand in that power together and lift each other up.” #ElPasoStrong #txlege pic.twitter.com/X8zV2q8kMz
— Lina Ortega (@lina4texas) August 4, 2019
Rep. César Blanco, (D-El Paso)
Praying for victims and @EPPOLICE responding to active shooter in my district. #txlege https://t.co/eHlefbyOBb
— Cesar Blanco (@CesarJBlanco) August 3, 2019
#ElPaso Shooting Family Reunification Center located at MacArthur Middle School 8101 Whitus Dr
— Cesar Blanco (@CesarJBlanco) August 3, 2019
El Paso, TX 79925
United States
#ElPasoShooting: how you can help, where to get help https://t.co/cspN3L1ahR via @elpasotimes #ElPasoStrong
— Cesar Blanco (@CesarJBlanco) August 4, 2019
To the families and victims of #DaytonOhioShooting Although our communities are hundreds of miles apart, today we are 1 community united in grief. #ElPaso loves you #daytonohio #ElPasoStrong #DaytonStrong pic.twitter.com/i9KOA45rxq
— Cesar Blanco (@CesarJBlanco) August 4, 2019
#ElPasoStrong Interfaith Vigil #ElPasoVictims #ElPasoDayton pic.twitter.com/BB5F7cOvYw
— Cesar Blanco (@CesarJBlanco) August 5, 2019
Sen. José Rodríguez, (D-El Paso)
Please avoid the area of Cielo Vista Mall and the Walmart on Gateway West. There is a report of an active shooter, no word yet on any arrests or how many casualties. Please tune into local media outlets for developing information.
— Sen. José Rodríguez (@JoseforTexas) August 3, 2019
I am deeply saddened by the news of the mass shooting in El Paso today. It is unfortunate that a tragedy of this magnitude has taken place in the borderland. My thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims and all those injured. /1
— Sen. José Rodríguez (@JoseforTexas) August 3, 2019
