On August 3, 2019, a tragic mass shooting took place at a Walmart in El Paso, Texas. A 21-year-old man named Patrick Crusius entered the store and opened fire, causing terror among customers and employees. He shot 45 people, killing 23 and injuring 22 others who were simply shopping on that day. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) investigated this shooting as an act of domestic terrorism and a hate crime. A hate crime is when someone attacks others because of their race or background, which demonstrates deep-rooted prejudice. Crusius had posted a manifesto online, expressing hateful ideas against immigrants, just hours before the attack. This act of violence is considered one of the deadliest attacks against Latinos in modern United States history. The shooting reignited discussions about safety in public places, particularly in supermarkets, and highlighted the urgent need for better laws against hate crimes. Many people have expressed concern about the increase in hate-related violence since then. In 2023, Crusius pleaded guilty to multiple murder and hate crime charges and received a long jail sentence of 90 consecutive life sentences. His actions have sparked a national conversation about gun control and the responsibility of society to protect vulnerable communities.
B1 · Intermediate · 201 words · ~1 min
Word notebook · B1
Tap a highlighted word in the text, or study the list below.
- manifesto
- a public declaration of ideas or beliefs, often political or social.
- terrorism
- the use of violence to frighten people and achieve political goals.
- prejudice
- an unfair opinion or judgment about a person or group without knowing them.
- vulnerable
- capable of being hurt or easily affected; defenseless.
- consecutive
- following continuously one after another.
Comprehension check · B1
Finished reading? See how much stuck.
1.What was the main reason for investigating the shooting as a hate crime?
2.What kind of ideas did Crusius express in his manifesto?
3.What consequences followed the shooting regarding laws in the United States?
















































