Police: 20 dead, 26 injured in El Paso shooting, 1 suspect in custody

UPDATE (7:30 p.m.) -- A gunman opened fire Saturday morning in a crowded Walmart and around a nearby shopping mall in El Paso, Texas, leaving 20 people dead and 26 injured, and prompting calls for urgent blood donations for the wounded, law enforcement officials said.

In delivering an updated number of deceased, Gov. Greg Abbott called it "one of the most deadly days in the history of Texas."

One suspect was in custody, officials said. Law enforcement sources say police identified the suspect as Patrick Crusius, 21, from the Dallas area. Sgt. Robert Gomez of the El Paso Police Department said no shots were fired by law enforcement.

Multiple senior law enforcement officials believe Crusius posted a screed online just prior to the attack. They say investigators are examining the posting they suspect is from him but that they have not officially confirmed it.

The sources said it was too soon to draw any motives from the posting. Investigators also say it is too early to determine if this was a hate crime and that the investigation into a motive will continue.

The shooting was reported at 10:39 a.m. Central time, and police were on-scene six minutes later.

Authorities initially said a second person was taken into custody, but later said they believe only one person was responsible.

The victims included at least three Mexican citizens, according to Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, who announced the figure in a video tweeted.

"I regret the events in El Paso, Texas, neighboring town and brother of Ciudad Juarez and our nation," he said. "I send my condolences to the families of the victims, both American and Mexican."

A Walmart employee told NBC affiliate KTSM in El Paso that she was working by the self-checkout when gunshots rang out. The employee, who only wanted to be identified by her first name, Leslie, said she initially thought boxes had been dropped.

“I thought it was just like loud boxes being dropped or something, until they got closer and closer,” she said. "That’s when I looked at my co-worker, and we looked at each other like shocked and scared.”

“I got all the people that I could, I even found a little girl that was missing from her parents, and I got her, too. I tried to get as many people as I could out,” the Walmart worker said.

Adriana Quezada, 39, was in the store with her two children when the shooting began.

"I heard the shots but I thought they were hits, like roof construction,"she told the Associated Press.

In a tweet Saturday afternoon, Walmart said it was "in shock."

A University Medical Center of El Paso spokesman said the victims had been taken to different hospitals. University Medical Center received at least 12 victims, many with "level one" injuries, which is the most serious level, spokesman Ryan Mielke said.

He said two children, ages 2 and 9,were taken to El Paso Children's Hospital and their conditions were stabilized.

At another hospital, Del Sol Medical Center, an official said 11 victims ranging in age from 35 to 82 years old had been transported there.

"Our hearts go out to those who have been injured and the families of those who may have been killed," El Paso Mayor Dee Margo said during an interview with KTSM.
The FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives responded to the scene to assist the El Paso Police Department.

UPDATE ( 6: 45 p.m.) NBC reports that El Paso police Chief Gregory K. Allen said at an evening news conference that the crime appears to have "a nexus at this point in time to a hate crime."

Investigators say it is too early to determine if this was a hate crime and that the investigation into a motive will continue.

President Trump called the shooting "an act of cowardice."

_______________

UPDATE (5:00 p.m.) - Rep. Veronica Escobar says the suspected gunman came to the city to perform the attack according to an NBC tweet.

_______________

UPDATE (4:45 p.m.) - NBC's Chris Pollone confirms 20 people are dead, 26 are wounded.

Area hospitals near El Paso are calling for emergency blood donations.

Several dozen people have been hospitalized with injuries some of them critical.

_______________

UPDATE (3:32 p.m.) - According to NBC, a handful of senior law enforcement officials believe Crusius posted a manifesto online just before the shooting. They say investigators are examining a post they believe is from him but they are unable to confirm it at this time.
_______________

UPDATED (3:05 p.m.) - NBC is reporting there are at least 19 people dead and 40 injured in the El Paso shooting.

Police have identified a possible gunman as Patrick Crusius, 21, from the Dallas area. Crusius is in custody.

A second person was also taken into custody, but it is not known what role, if any, the person played in the shooting, according to NBC News.

Sgt. Robert Gomez of the El Paso Police Department said no shots were fired by law enforcement.
_______________

UPDATE (1:11 p.m.) - Authorities believe the shooting was carried out by a single male gunman who is in custody.

Presidential candidate and former U.S. Rep. Beto O'Rourke said he is distraught by the news of a mass-shooting in his hometown.

He plans on returning home to be with his family, according to the Associated Press.

He asked for everyone's resolve to ensure this does not continue to happen in the United States.
______________

UPDATE (12:06 p.m.) - The chief of staff to El Paso Mayor Dee Margo and police said multiple have been killed in the shooting in the shopping complex.

Suspects have been taken into custody according to the Associated Press.

No word yet on the number of victims.
_______________

UPDATE (11:30 a.m.) - El Paso police said they've received reports of multiple shooters at the shopping complex.

Police have given no information about possible shooting victims, according to the Associated Press.
________________

Authorities in El Paso, Texas, told people to stay away from the area of the Cielo Vista shopping mall due to an "active shooter" Saturday afternoon, local time.

Multiple law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, responded

NBC affiliate KTSM in El Paso reports that 18 people were shot inside a Walmart and that the extent of injuries is unknown.

The FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives responded to the scene to assist the El Paso Police Department.

In several tweets, police urged people to stay away from the area near the Cielo Vista mall due to an "active shooter."

The police tweeted that the shooter was in the area of Hawkins and Gateway East boulevards, which is the location of a Walmart.

Police warned people to stay away from the area as the scene is still active.

This is a developing story. It will be updated as more information becomes available.