Protesters Gather in El Paso as Trump Pays Visit in Aftermath of Shooting

Crowds gathered at a park in El Paso, Texas, on Wednesday, August 7, ahead of President Donald Trump’s visit to the city after a shooting on Saturday left at least 22 people dead.

The suspected gunman, 21-year-old Patrick Crusius, was booked by local police under charges of Capital Murder following the shooting at a Walmart that killed at least 22 and injured at least 26 more people.

The gunman’s manifesto said the attack was “a response to the Hispanic invasion of Texas.” Hispanic or Latino people make up more than 80 percent of El Paso’s population, according to the US Census Bureau.

This video shows a crowd gathering around a stage at Washington Park. In the video, people hold up signs that read “No civilian needs an AR-15 for hunting or protection” and “We deserve safe schools.” The video also shows a speaker on stage calling for stricter gun laws.

Local media reported that presidential candidate Beto O’Rourke was expected to stop by the demonstration.

Austin Allen, who posted the video on Twitter, said there was “a lot of love and passionate people” who came out for the demonstration in El Paso.

But tensions rose nearby as Trump supporters and protesters confronted each other at the memorial site by the Walmart where the shooting happened, local media reported.

“The memorial was meant to honor the victims. Do not dishonor them by clashing against each other. Stop the hate,” the El Paso Police Department said on Twitter. Credit: Three Crosses Media of Las Cruces, NM via Storyful