EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — Sunday, Aug. 3 marked six years since the mass shooting that took place at an El Paso Walmart, taking the lives of 23 people and injuring more than 20 others in a targeted racist attack.
From sunrise to sunset, El Pasoans have been remembering the 23 lives lost that day.
Sunday morning, the City of El Paso and the Border Network for Human Rights held a remembrance ceremony at the Aug. 3rd Memorial at Jim Crouch Park, 7500 W.H. Burges.
Victims’ families, City leaders, and community members all gathered to honor the victims.
The BNHR built 23 crosses, each with a name of a victim. The crosses were set up in front of the memorial which consists of seven granite pillars that also have the victims’ names engraved on them.
Each of the victims’ names was read aloud and followed by a ceremonial bell toll. There was a moment of silence held shortly after 10 a.m., when speakers said the first 911 call came in on Aug. 3, 2019.
Finally white doves were released into the open air in honor of the victims.
El Paso District Attorney James Montoya, who took office at the start of 2025, took over the state of Texas’ case against the Walmart gunman and subsequently brought the criminal proceedings to a close. He shared his thoughts following the ceremony.
“The criminal legal proceedings are over, but I know it’s not any easier. Certainly not for the family members of those who lost their lives. It’s certainly not any easier for the victims who survived the attack. Every day they’re living with this tremendous burden, and there will never be closure for that. All we can do is move forward and continue to live and honor the memory of those who lost their lives,” Montoya said.
El Paso County and the El Paso United Family Resiliency Center will also honor the victims through the annual remembrance ceremony at the Healing Garden located at Ascarate Park.
The County ceremony is scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m. and last until 9 p.m.
Read: Read More