The mother of the El Paso shooting suspect called the Allen Police Department weeks before the Texas shooting because she was concerned about her son owning an “AK” type of firearm.
According to the family’s attorneys Chris Ayres and R. Jack Ayres, Patrick Crusius’ mother contacted police because she was worried about her son owning an assault rifle given his age, maturity level and lack of experience handling such a weapon.
They claim Crusius’ mother was transferred to a public safety officer who told her based on her description of the situation; her son was legally allowed to purchase the weapon. It is unknown whether the gun in question is the same weapon used in the attack.
No names were given during the call, and the police did not seek any additional information from her before the call concluded. According to the family’s attorneys, the call was “informational” in nature and was not motivated out of a concern that her son posed a threat to anyone.
The Allen Police Department was unable to provide any reports documenting the call from the mother, in response to public records requests for information on Crusius. The police said in a statement only three minor incidents were found: a false burglar alarm at the family home, Crusius being a passenger in a bus involved in a minor traffic accident, and when he ran away from home but returned 30 minutes later.
US Attorney John Bash said the Justice Department is “seriously considering” bringing federal hate crime and federal firearm charges against Crusius. He has been charged with capital murder and is currently being held without bond at the El Paso County Detention Facility.
District Attorney Jaime Esparza said his office will seek the death penalty.
