Press Releases
CAIR, CAIR-Texas Offer Condolences to Families of Victims of Texas Shooting, Calls for Probe of Possible White Supremacist Motive
(WASHINGTON, D.C., 5/8/2023) – The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), and its Texas chapters in Dallas, Austin, Houston, and San Antonio, all part of the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today offered condolences to the families and loved ones of those killed or injured in Saturday’s deadly shooting attack Allen, Texas, in which eight people were killed.
Investigators say the gunman, Mauricio Garcia, has expressed interest in white supremacist and neo-Nazi views. Garcia also had a patch on his clothing that read “RWDS,” which reportedly stands for “Right Wing Death Squad,” a popular acronym among far-right and white supremacy groups.
SEE: Agents reviewing extremist social media postings of Texas gunman who killed 8 (AP)
https://apnews.com/article/shooting-outlet-mall-allen-texas-cf100ef3cfc6e3c2e687119c06191b87
In a statement, CAIR Deputy Executive Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell said:
“Our hearts go out to the families and loved ones killed or injured in this heinous attack. Given the gunman’s reported white supremacist and neo-Nazi views, investigators must consider a possible bias motive for this crime.
“We repeat our call to state and national lawmakers to implement reasonable gun safety measures to reduce the threat of these tragic mass shootings.”
In a statement, CAIR-Texas, Houston Director William White said:
“We mourn the loss of life in yet another mass shooting in our state. Our prayers are with the victims and families of the victims. We now demand the state legislature act to pass gun safety policies such as raising the legal age to buy AR/AK-style rifles and repeat calls for additional gun safety measures.”
White also mentioned that while CAIR has encouraged additional common-sense gun reform, CAIR has opposed legislation banning firearms from sale to individuals placed on a watchlist.
In March, CAIR offered similar condolences to the families and loved ones of the mass shooting victims at the Covenant School in Nashville, Tenn. CAIR also supported the planned release of a manifesto reportedly written by the alleged shooter.
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
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CONTACT: CAIR-Houston Director William White, 713-254-2016, w-white@cair.com CAIR National Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell, 404-285-9530, e-Mitchell@cair.com; CAIR Government Affairs Director Robert McCaw, 202-742-6448, rmccaw@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Manager Ismail Allison, 202-770-6280, iallison@cair.com
