Victim Families Hug Walmart Mass Killer at Emotional Sentencing
Victims' family members hugged convicted Walmart mass killer Patrick Crusius during an emotional sentencing hearing.
Crusius was convicted "for his racist attack at a Walmart in 2019," according to CNN, but when victim's family member Yolanda Tinajero rose to speak at his sentencing, she did something remarkable.
Tinajero told Crusius she "forgave him, and wished she could give him a hug," CNN reported. The judge allowed her to do so during the hearing in El Paso, Texas. He remained shackled, CNN reported.
According to CNN, he was ultimately sentenced to multiple life sentences for the attack, which targeted Hispanic shoppers at the Walmart. By the end of the rampage, 22 people lay dead. Tinajero is the sister of victim Arturo Benavides.
A second victim's family member also hugged the convicted killer.
Judge Medrano: “Ma’am, would it truly bring you peace and comfort and healing to hug him?”
— Andy Morgan (@AndyMorganTV) April 22, 2025
Yolanda Tinajero: “Yes.”
Judge Medrano: “You go right on ahead.”
As Tinajero hugged the shooter, the sound of crying could be heard in the courtroom. #KTSM9News https://t.co/I6WtBhiLGu pic.twitter.com/I6LvJoGxr6
“Your honor, I would like to ask you for permission on behalf of myself and my children to give Patrick a hug,” Adriana Zandri, wife of victim Ivan Manzano, asked the judge, according to KTSM.
“Ma’am, would that help you and your family seek comfort, peace, and healing?,” the judge responded.“
"Yes sir,” Zandri responded in Spanish.
But other family members blasted Crusius. Den Reckard, whose mother Margie Reckard lost her life at his hands, was one of them.
“I noticed your family isn’t here. They’ll probably have to hide for the rest of their lives because of the evil you brought upon their name. I’m not buying into this mental illness issue that your lawyers want us to believe. To me, you’re just a copycat killer who wanted some attention. My hope is you wake up each morning wishing you were dead,” Reckard said, according to KTSM.