Report: El Paso Shooting Suspect Said He Got His AK-47 From Romania, Ammo From Russia

AUSTIN — The North Texas man who confessed to carrying out the mass shooting at an El Paso Walmart earlier this month told law enforcement he purchased his gun from overseas, according to The Texas Tribune. In a Texas Department of Public Safety report obtained by The Tribune, Patrick Crusius said he bought the AK-47 he allegedly used in the shooting from Romania and had it shipped to a gun retailer near his home in Allen. Crusius also said he purchased 1,000 rounds of ammunition from Russia.Authorities in El Paso have said Crusius purchased his AK-47 legally. About 9,000 semi-automatic rifles were imported from Romania last year, The Tribune reports, with online buyers in the U.S. required to go through a federal background check. Texas law allows ammunition to be purchased online and shipped directly to the buyer's home.The suspect also underscored his previous statements that he targeted Hispanic shoppers in the DPS report, according to The Tribune. Crusius said he was surprised no one stopped him after the shooting. He called 911 after the incident, he added, and said he was unable to reach a dispatcher before he returned to the Walmart to surrender and was arrested by Texas Rangers.   Continue reading...