El Paso Shooter Agrees to Pay Over $5 Million in Restitution to Victims’ Families

On Monday, the El Paso Walmart shooter who killed 23 people in a racist attack in 2019 agreed to pay over $5 million in restitution to the victims’ families. The shooter, 25-year-old Patrick Crusius, was sentenced to 90 consecutive life sentences in July after pleading guilty to federal hate crime charges.

The court document filed Monday in the Western District of Texas entitled “joint motion on agreed restitution” states that the shooter “agrees to pay restitution in the amount of $5,557,005.55 to the claimants.” The attack, which occurred on August 3, 2019, was one of the nation’s worst mass killings and was fueled by white nationalist ideas.

The families of the victims have expressed their gratitude for the restitution, but also note that it does not make up for the loss of their loved ones. “No amount of money can replace the lives that were taken,” said one family member. “But this is a step in the right direction.”

The El Paso community has been deeply affected by the attack, and has been working to heal and move forward. Last August, mourners gathered outside the Walmart to release 23 doves in honor of the victims. The El Paso community has come together to support the victims’ families and to stand against racism and hate.