Texas Man Pleads Guilty to Hate Crime Charges

A Dallas man pleaded guilty today to federal hate crime charges arising out of a fatal shooting at a car repair shop.

Anthony Paz Torres, 38, pleaded guilty to five federal hate crime counts for killing one individual and attempting to kill four others during a shooting at Omar’s Wheels and Tires in Dallas, Texas, on Dec. 24, 2015. Torres also pleaded guilty to one count of using a firearm to commit the murder. According to documents filed in connection with his guilty plea, Torres’ shooting spree came a few days after he had gone to the business, made anti-Muslim statements and pledged that he would come back. When he returned a few days later, Torres asked customers if they were Muslim and then opened fire on the customers and employees present in the shop. Torres killed one individual and attempted to kill four other individuals with his firearm.

“Acts of Islamophobic-violence that cause death and injury have no place in our country and run contrary to our values as Americans,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “This defendant is being held accountable for a violent and deadly hate-fueled shooting spree targeting innocent Muslim Americans. The Justice Department is firmly committed to confronting unlawful acts of bias-motivated violence, and stands ready, willing and able to prosecute perpetrators who target victims because of their religion.”

Read more: Department of Justice