Walmart to renovate and reopen El Paso store with mass shooting memorial
The El Paso Walmart where 22 people were gunned down earlier this month is set to reopen after a renovation that will include the installation of a memorial for the victims, company officials said.
The total overhaul of the Walmart in El Paso’s Cielo Vista Mall is expected to take roughly three to four months, Walmart spokesman Randy Hargrove said Thursday.
Twenty-two people were killed and 25 others wounded in the Aug. 3 rampage in which gunman Patrick Crusius, 21, allegedly targeted Mexicans.
“It’s basically taking the inside of the store and remodeling and reworking everything inside, so it’ll be new fixtures, new flooring and new merchandise,” Hargrove told The Post. “But we’ve made the decision to remodel the entire facility.”
Details of the planned monument are unclear as planning remains in “early stages.” Walmart said it will work with community leaders and elected officials in coming weeks to include aspects to recognize the binational relationship between El Paso and Ciudad Juarez, Hargrove said.
“We approached this from a standpoint of listening and engaging those within the city and our associates,” Hargrove continued. “And they’ve ultimately told us that they want to get back to work and to get back to work at their store.”
Mourners visit the makeshift memorial site outside of the Walmart.
AP
Twenty-two people were killed in the Aug. 3 shooting.
IVAN PIERRE AGUIRRE/EPA-EFE/REX
People gather during a tribute to the victims of a mass shooting at the Walmart store in El Paso.
REUTERS
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More than 93% of workers at the Walmart are now working at other nearby locations, Hargrove said.
The expected cost of the overhaul and memorial is unclear. Hargrove said the entirety of the store was not impacted during the massacre, which occurred after authorities believe Crusius posted a rambling manifesto blaming the “Hispanic invasion of Texas” for the killings.
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Eight of Crusius’ victims were Mexican nationals. He was placed on suicide watch on Monday at the El Paso County Jail after a recommendation from medical staff, the El Paso Times reported. Crusius, who faces the death penalty if convicted, remains held without bond on capital murder charges.
El Paso Mayor Dee Margo was informed of Walmart’s decision to reopen the store on Wednesday, according to the newspaper.
“The call by the Cielo Vista Walmart associates to reopen their store is a testament to the resilience of our community,” Margo said in a statement. “The City of El Paso will continue to engage Walmart regarding next steps. Meanwhile, we will proceed with planning a permanent memorial honoring those impacted by the tragedy on Aug. 3.”
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