The US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is concerned at the prospect of violent extremists in the United States being inspired by the recent shootings in El Paso and Dayton as well as their desire to commit similar attacks in other parts of the country.
At least 20 people were killed and 26 more injured after a gunman opened fire in a Walmart Cielo Vista Mall in the city of El Paso, Texas, on Saturday.
According to Texas Governor Greg Abbott, the operation to detain the shooter lasted 21 minutes. Another 10 people, including the shooter, were killed in a separate shooting incident in Dayton, Ohio on Sunday, while 27 people were injured. The police said they neutralized the shooter in less than a minute.
“The FBI remains concerned that U.S.-based domestic violent extremists could become inspired by these and previous high-profile attacks to engage in similar acts of violence. The FBI asks the American public to report to law enforcement any suspicious activity that is observed either in person or online,” the FBI said in a statement on Sunday.
FBI Director Christopher Wray conveyed condolences to the families of victims of the attacks. “On behalf of the FBI, I offer sincere condolences to the victims, families, and communities affected by this weekend’s violence, and we stand by them during this difficult time. We will bring the full resources of the FBI to bear in the pursuit of justice for the victims of these crimes,” Wray said, as quoted by the statement.
According to the FBI, the incident in El Paso indicates that there is still a continuing threat of hate crimes across the country.
