Walmart shooter pleads guilty to federal charges

Editor's note: Follow this live blog for developments. Devices were prohibited inside the courtroom, therefore, no cameras were allowed.

UPDATE: Patrick Crusius was standing between his two lawyers before Federal Judge David Guaderrama as the state described the events of August 3, 2019.

Prosecutors say Crusius was shooting at the First Convenience bank inside the Walmart. He then turned to walk down Walmart aisles where people were hiding. He shot nine victims as they were trying to hide or escape.

Crusius then went to the checkout area, where he shot 11 people. He then went outside and shot at vehicles passing by.

He left Walmart for 20 minutes, then returned, and surrendered.

After being taken into police custody, prosecutors say he volunteered for two police interviews. Each was recorded. Crusius stated he wanted to conduct the crime to dissuade Mexican immigrants from crossing into the U.S. He said he purposely chose El Paso to carry out the attack because he did not want to commit the attack near his home.

Crusius consented to a search during which he turned over a thumb drive to police. said prosecutors. The thumb drive contained three files. One was a manifesto, four pages long. The next file was a copy of "The Great Replacement." Also, a short note to his family dated July 2019.

Crusius told investigators he purchased a weapon online called JPWAFR10 - serial number 81655218. He also purchased 1,000 hallow point ammunition online. The weapon came from Romania. It was shipped to Europe, where it was eventually shipped to Crusius.

Crusius believed that Mexican nationals would be at the Cielo Vista Walmart for commercial and economic activity.

He described himself as a white nationalist during the interview. He says he didn't not think about killing Mexicans until he read "The Great Replacement," a far-right theory that purports people of color will replace the white population through immigration. He said he wanted Hispanics to realize that it would be better to go back.

He said Hispanic immigrants pose a political danger to the U.S.

Judge David C. Guaderrama found Crusius guilty on all counts. Judge Guaderrama stated the sentencing hearing will be set in June 2023.

The judge said Crusius's attorneys will provide him with the exact date and time.

Court was adjourned at 3:07 p.m.

UPDATE: Patrick Crusius appeared in federal court wearing a blue jumpsuit with his hands cuffed and tied to a chain on his waist. He had long, unkempt hair reaching his ears, wearing glasses and a face covering.

The 24-year-old pleaded guilty to all 90 counts of the indictment connected to the Aug. 3, 2019, Walmart shooting.

They include:

• Group 1, counts 1-23
• hate crime resulting in death
• Group 2, counts 24-46
• use of a firearm to commit murder during and relation to a crime of violence.
• Group 3, counts 47-68
• hate crime involving attempt to kill.
• Group 4, counts 69-90
• use of firearms during and relation to a crime of violence

As part of his plea deal, Crusius agreed to 90 consecutive life sentences.

He agrees to pay restitution determined by the court.

He agrees to pay fines determined by the court and waives the right to appeal the conviction or challenge the sentence.

The families of the victims were calm and collected before he entered the court and as Crusius entered the court.

Crusisus acknowledged that he discussed all counts with his lawyer.

When asked by the judge, Crusius agreed he understood each count and was not under the influence of any medication, drugs or alcohol that would impair his ability to plead guilty.

He asserted he is not suffering from any mental health or any head injuries. He said that he is competent to plead guilty.

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- Accused Walmart shooter Patrick Crusius has indicated he will plead guilty to federal charges at a re-arraignment hearing today in a U.S. District Court in El Paso.

News of the plea change came after the U.S. government indicated it would not seek the death penalty in the case.

Crusius still faces the death penalty if convicted of capital murder in state court.

Surviving victims and families of victims in the August 3, 2019 shooting are expected to be in court today.

Twenty-three people were killed due to the attack, with dozens of others injured. It would become one of the deadliest attacks on Latinos in modern US history.