The El Paso County district attorney announced Tuesday that Patrick Crusius, who killed 23 people in a 2019 racist attack at a Walmart near the U.S.-Mexico border, would avoid the death penalty under a new plea offer. The decision marks the end of a yearslong legal battle, but the victims’ families are divided by the decision.

District Attorney James Montoya, who took office in January, said the decision was primarily driven by victims’ families seeking closure.

“This is about allowing the families of the 23 victims who lost their lives on that horrific day — and the 22 wounded — to finally have resolution in our court system,” Montoya stated.

Under the proposed agreement, Crusius would plead guilty to capital murder and receive life imprisonment without parole possibility. The plea hearing and sentencing are scheduled for April 21, when families will have the opportunity to deliver impact statements.

Crusius, now 26, had already received 90 consecutive life sentences at the federal level after pleading guilty to hate crime charges in 2023. Federal prosecutors under the Biden administration had previously removed the death penalty as an option.

The case has deeply divided the victim community. Some family members expressed relief at the decision. “I’m just glad it’s over,” said Elise Hoffmann-Taus, whose father, Alexander Hoffmann, was among those killed. “This is the outcome I wanted.”

Others, like survivor Adria Gonzalez, who helped shoppers escape during the attack, felt differently, calling the decision “a slap in the face for all the victims.”

Montoya acknowledged this division, noting that while he personally supports capital punishment and believes Crusius deserves it, the overwhelming desire from families was to conclude the process.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott voiced disagreement with the decision, stating: “Any shooting like that is what capital punishment is for.”

The August 2019 attack specifically targeted Hispanic shoppers. Before the shooting, Crusius posted a racist manifesto online warning of a Hispanic “invasion” of Texas. He drove over 700 miles from his home near Dallas to carry out the attack with an AK-style rifle.

Dean Reckard, who lost his mother, Margie, in the shooting, captured the mixed emotions many feel: “Our loved ones will always be loved and remembered as decent people who were just living their lives and doing their best. We need to do the same. It’s what they would have wanted.”

Read more: Gunman who killed 23 in racist attack at Texas Walmart is offered plea deal to avoid death penalty

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