Patrick Crusius pleaded guilty in February to federal hate crimes in connection with the August 3, 2019 mass shooting at an El Paso Walmart that targeted Hispanics and Latinos, one of the most serious hate crimes in U.S. history. The white supremacist will continue his trial in a higher court in Texas and could face more punishment, including the death penalty.

El Paso Walmart shooting suspect Patrick Crusius received 90 life sentences for his crimes. Photo: AP

"No one in this country should have to live in fear of hate-inspired violence - that they will be targeted because of how they look or where they come from. The 90 life sentences announced today ensure that Patrick Crusius will spend the rest of his life in prison for his racist crimes and murder in El Paso," said US Attorney General Merrick Garland.

Meanwhile, Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke described the shooting as "one of the most horrific acts of white supremacist violence in modern times".

To commit the crime, Crusius drove about 1,060 km from the city of Allen (also in the state of Texas) to the Walmart Supercenter in El Paso with an AK-47 assault rifle and 1,000 rounds of ammunition. The subject opened fire on people present in the supermarket parking lot, taking the lives of 23 people and injuring 22.

According to the federal indictment, Crusius posted a racist message online before the attack, warning that the attack was "a response to the Hispanic and Latino invasion of Texas." Crusius said he chose the border city of El Paso as the location of the attack to discourage Latino and Hispanic immigrants from coming to the United States.

VNA