美國德州邊境大城艾爾帕索一間沃爾瑪商場驚傳槍擊,造成20人死亡。(湯森路透)
《哥倫比亞電視台》(CBS)報導,美國德州與墨西哥交界處、知名邊境城市之一的艾爾帕索(El Paso),其轄區內一處沃爾瑪商場(Walmart),驚傳有槍手闖入持槍攻擊無辜民眾,最新數據顯示已造成20人死亡、至少22人以上受到輕重傷,最小的一位年紀僅有4個月大。
警方已逮捕一名剛滿21歲的白人男性嫌犯,而美國媒體也發現,這名嫌犯在案發前、曾在網路發表反移民、濃厚歧視的強烈言論,認為自己的家鄉,「大批外來者正以文化和種族的方式,欲取代他們既有的現況,面對這種侵略,我只是想保衛國家!」
The 21-year-old male suspect who massacred at least 18 people at a Texas mall overnight is in custody. He has been identified as Patrick Crusius from Dallas. More to come. https://t.co/jhknSadfrG pic.twitter.com/s6AUZ0pZKc
— news.com.au (@newscomauHQ) August 3, 2019
Texas Gov. Abbott on the issue of gun violence after El Paso mass shooting attack: "I think we need to focus more on memorials before we start the politics." https://t.co/HV7Nn4MSVz pic.twitter.com/ZQ8amuS1SQ
— MSNBC (@MSNBC) August 4, 2019
按照當地警局說法,他們已拘捕一名年約21歲的白人男性,認為此人嫌疑重大。而商場內監視器畫面,也確認了這名兇嫌的身份,此人名叫「派翠克˙瑟西斯」(Patrick Crusius)。
艾爾帕索警長認為,會選在返校前夕購物旺季、每天有至少3000人流動的商場行兇,調查方向很可能是「仇恨犯罪」,但對於細節則不願多做說明。但警方認為稍早傳出兇手不只一人、行兇地點不只一處的傳聞則是嚴正駁斥。
Standing together. @DEAELPASODiv joined all LEO agencies from El Paso in responding to an active shooter. #ElPaso. #standtogether pic.twitter.com/umyvo5YtRL
— DEAElPaso (@DEAELPASODiv) August 3, 2019
對於行兇現場的回憶,有目擊者向警方和媒體表示,至少聽見超過十次槍擊聲、兇手身穿軍事用裝備,手上持有的槍枝被認為很可能是AK-47步槍。
Terrible shootings in ElPaso, Texas. Reports are very bad, many killed. Working with State and Local authorities, and Law Enforcement. Spoke to Governor to pledge total support of Federal Government. God be with you all!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 3, 2019
聽聞此一美墨邊境最嚴重的槍擊案之一,美國總統川普(Donald Trump)也對死傷者和家屬表達哀悼之意,並要求聯邦和州政府要全力進行調查;德州州長阿博特(Greg Abbott)則是大力譴責兇手行為,並表示為防止再有類似事件出現,短期內將在艾爾帕索派駐最大規模的警力維持秩序。
In El Paso, the Texas Dept. of Public Safety is assisting local law enforcement & federal authorities to bring this tragedy to the swiftest & safest possible conclusion.
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) August 3, 2019
We thank all First Responders for their courageous response & urge all area residents to remain safe. https://t.co/H6UDwu81SY