This archive report was first published on 9 August 2019.
Published on August 9, 2019, a CNN report revealed that the El Paso suspect, who had recently moved out of his grandparents' home, had ordered a military-style weapon, sparking concerns about his intentions.
According to the family's lawyer, Mr. Ayres, the suspect's mother had called the Allen Police Department to report her son's purchase, citing his age, maturity, and lack of experience handling a weapon. However, the police department denied receiving such a call, stating that they had found no records of the incident.
The suspect's mother had expressed concerns about her son's behavior, but the police assured her that he was allowed to possess the weapon under the law. The family had reportedly stayed in regular contact with the suspect, who had been living on his own for a few weeks.
As investigators continue to probe the suspect's background, one question remains unanswered: how and when did he become radicalized? The suspect's manifesto, which appeared on the 8chan website, suggests that he spent a significant amount of time on the computer, potentially exposing him to extremist ideologies.
Before the attack, the suspect had made the long drive to El Paso, a predominantly Hispanic border town, where he got lost and stopped at a Walmart due to hunger. The community in Texas has since come together to condemn the attack, with some urging people not to give the suspect additional attention.
