Mexico calls for the protection of Mexicans in the US after El Paso shooting

The gunman is believed to have posted an online manifesto that denounced a 'Hispanic invasion' of Texas

Mexican foreign minister Marcelo Ebrard, gestures as he holds a news conference about the mass shooting in Texas in the U.S., in Mexico City, Mexico August 4, 2019. REUTERS/Luis Cortes
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Mexico's president has called on his government to ensure that Mexicans in the United States are protected after the El Paso shooting that left 20 people dead appeared to target Hispanics.

Of those killed in the Texas border town, at least seven were Mexican. The shooter is believed to have posted an online manifesto that denounced a "Hispanic invasion" of Texas. US President Donald Trump has courted controversy in the past with his remarks about Mexicans.

Mexico's foreign minister has condemned the shooting in El Paso as a "terrorist" act and said that Mexico City is looking at legal action to extradite the gunman.

Mexico's attorney general was considering possible legal action and extradition of the suspected shooter, who surrendered to police a block from the El Paso store, Mr Ebrard said.

"For Mexico, this individual is a terrorist," he said.

Separately, President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador "firmly" demanded that those responsible be punished.

"The authorities must also assume responsibility in the event that excesses are allowed, such as the indiscriminate use of weapons," he said at a public event in the central state of Michoacan.

Mr Ebrard said on Twitter he would travel to El Paso on Monday to meet those affected by the shooting "and give them the full support of the Government of Mexico."

He said the foreign ministry would also file a suit against those responsible for selling the assault weapon to the gunman and would enquire whether the authorities were "aware of the potential of this individual".

Texas Governor Greg Abbott said Saturday's rampage in the heavily Hispanic city appeared to be a hate crime, and police cited a manifesto they attributed to the suspect as evidence that the bloodshed was racially motivated.

The County of El Paso's state court has "pre-file case" listed for "State of Texas vs Patrick Crusius" that shows a single charge of capital murder against Crusius. The suspect is a white man, 21, from Allen, Texas.

The single charge is likely a legal place holder, to keep Crusius in custody until further charges can be filed against him for each of the dead and the wounded.

The records also show that an application for appointment of counsel was filed in the case on Sunday. It was unclear if Crusius has a lawyer or when a bond hearing or other court appearances will occur.

A state prosecutor said prosecutors will seek the death penalty against Crusius if he is found guilty.

The FBI said in a statement on Sunday the attack "underscores the continued threat posed by domestic violent extremists and perpetrators of hate crimes".