Sen. Ted Cruz, Beto O'Rourke remember victims on El Paso Walmart shooting anniversary

In a sad remembrance, Aug. 3, 2023, marks the fourth anniversary of the deadliest attack on Hispanics in modern U.S. history.

Four years ago, a white supremacist drove 11 hours from a Dallas suburb to El Paso. Armed with an assault rifle and a twisted and hateful racist ideology, he entered a Walmart store near the Cielo Vista Mall on the East Side of El Paso with the declared aim of killing Hispanics. By the time he surrendered to police, 22 were left dead. Another victim would die eight months later.

The shooter pleaded guilty to 90 federal charges related to the massacre in Feb. 2023. He was sentenced in July and will serve 90 consecutive life sentences.

He still awaits a state trial in Texas. El Paso County District Attorney's Office is seeking the death penalty against the white supremacist. A trial date has not yet been set.

Across El Paso, there are dozens of ways to honor the 23 lives lost, from shining orange lights in your home to protesting gun violence to helping create a communal memorial outside the El Paso Museum of Art.

Local leaders and politicians across the nation are taking to social media to denounce white supremacy and gun violence while remembering the vibrant lives lost and reflecting on the resilience and strength of El Paso.

Sen. Ted Cruz: 'we will never forget' Aug. 3

Sen. Ted Cruz took to Twitter this morning to honor the victims of Aug. 3 mass shooting.

"4 years ago," he declared, "we witnessed pure evil in El Paso."

He promised that he would "never forget the 23 people" who died, sending his prayers to "the families and loved ones who lost someone on that awful day."

Former US Rep. Beto O'Rourke sends "love and strength"

In a fittingly sparse and reflective tweet sent out early Thursday morning, former U.S. Rep. Beto O'Rourke, an El Paso native, said he was "thinking about the families, about our hometown."

He added that "to those who have suffered so much and so needlessly" he was "sending all the love and strength."

Rep. Veronica Escobar reflects on El Paso's "pain, trauma and damage"

In a thread of tweets sent out by U.S. Rep Veronica Escobar, D-El Paso, she condemned the "xenophobic rhetoric used by former President Donald Trump" and "unapologetically repeated today by many Republicans in positions of public trust."

Escobar said, "the pain, trauma and damage [the gunman] inflicted is still felt today by El Pasoans." Victims and survivors of the Walmart mass shooting "still require medical procedures and live with PTSD."

Regarding the federal and state trials, Escobar was adamant that "no sentence can bring back the innocent souls we lost on that day."

She urged her constituents and fellow El Pasoans to stay #ElPasoStrong.

State Sen. Cesar Blanco remembers '23 innocent souls' taken too soon

State Sen. César Blanco remembered how "our community was shaken to its core by a hateful act of violence" four years ago.

"Today & every day," he added on Twitter, "we remember our friends, family & loved ones who were taken from us too soon."

State Rep. Joe Moody: Hate 'will never be stronger' than love and unity

In a tweet this afternoon, State Rep. Joe Moody, who represents much of northern El Paso County in the State Capitol, blamed "fear mongering and hatred" for leading to the mass shooting on Aug. 3, 2019.

He reminded El Pasoans that "the love and unity that our community has exhibited in the four years since" will always far surpass the power of that hate and racism.

UMC El Paso looks back at Aug. 3 Walmart shooting

University Medica Center of El Paso released a statement on behalf of President and CEO R. Jacob Cintron. The news release looked back at the work UMC associates performed during the 2019 shooting.

"UMC received 15 wounded patients, including an infant and a transferred patient from another hospital. The survivors will certainly never forget the professional men and women from UMC who contributed to their healing.

"Beginning with the Scherr Legate Level 1 Trauma Center, where victims first entered our facility, and following with the medical teams found in the OR, ICU, our other medical units, and the support of our ancillary teams, Imaging, Rehab, Pharmacy, Lab, Dietary, Guest Services, EVS, Case Management, and each and every one of you, we made a difference, " the statement added.

Walmart opens at later hour for remembrance of El Paso shooting

The Walmart location where the Aug. 3 shooting occurred reminded customers that employees would have a late start to their day.

A sign in the entrance hallway read, "To allow our Associates the time to remember and reflect on the tragic events of Aug. 3, 2019, we will be opening the store at 8 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 3. Thank you for your continued support and understanding."

Border patrol chief speaks out on tragic 'act of violence'

U.S. Border Patrol agents acted as first responders on the morning of Aug. 3, 2019. Agents rushed to the Walmart to help victims.

Anthony "Scott" Good, chief of the El Paso Sector, paused to recognize the harm done to the Borderland by the attacker:

"We remember the lives lost & community affected by the tragic mass shooting in #ElPaso. Our thoughts & prayers go out to who were impacted by this act of violence. Let’s stand together & support one another as we heal & work towards creating a safer community. #ElPasoStrong"

FBI El Paso recommits to fighting 'horrific events' like Aug. 3

The FBI office in El Paso posted photos of how they "silently honored the 23 victims" of the Aug. 3 mass shooting with 23 solemn candles and sketches of all the victims.

"We are committed to assisting our community in healing as we heal alongside them," stated the agency. "Our city will always be #ElPasoStrong."

NMSU to 'stand by' El Paso community

In a statement put out on Twitter this morning, New Mexico State University, located in Las Cruces, New Mexico, promised to "remember and honor the 23 victims" of the 2019 shooting.

NMSU added that they would continue to "stand by the El Paso community as they continue to heal."

This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Walmart shooting El Paso TX: Texas leaders react to anniversary