Mexico mulls extradition of US suspect as it condemns ‘xenophobic barbarism’ of El Paso shooting
Mexican authorities consider taking the shooter who gunned down 20 people, including six Mexicans, in El Paso, Texas, to court. The litigation can potentially pave the way for the attacker’s extradition to Mexico.
The country will take “legal actions” to protect its citizens in the US, Mexican Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard said on Sunday in the aftermath of the El Paso shooting that left 20 people dead and 26 injured. Specifically, Ebrard said, Mexico’s Attorney General is considering filing a lawsuit against the attacker on the grounds that an act of terrorism was perpetrated against Mexicans on the US soil. Depending on how the case unravels, that might lead to the attacker’s extradition to Mexico, he added.
“The president has instructed me to ensure that Mexico’s indignation translates into... efficient, prompt, expeditious and forceful legal actions for Mexico to take a role and demand that conditions are established that protect ... Mexicans in the United States,” Ebrard said in a video posted to Twitter, promising to provide further details on the said steps shortly.
The shooting, which killed at least six Mexican nationals and injured some more, was strongly condemned by Jesus Seade, Mexico’s deputy foreign minister for North America. He blamed the incident on hateful rhetoric peddled across the US, adding that it must stop. Seade, however, did not single out anyone in the US for engaging in hate speech.
“The modern world can't allow such acts of XENOPHOBIC BARBARISM, which don't happen in a vacuum. CEASE completely the RHETORIC that incites them,” Seade tweeted.The mass shooting unfolded at a Walmart store in El Paso on Saturday.
A 21-year-old, armed with an AK-style rifle, indiscriminately shot people inside the store and in its parking lot. The suspect then apparently gave himself up as he was taken into custody “without incident.” US investigators are treating the massacre as a case of domestic terrorism.
Ahead of the shooting, a “manifesto” attributed to the shooter was posted online, expressing extremely right-wing views and calling the attack a response to what was branded a “Hispanic invasion” of Texas. The authorities are investigating the document, but have not yet officially linked it to the suspect.
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