Authorities in Texas have released the identity of the suspect in Sunday's vehicle ramming attack at a Brownsville, Texas bus stop.
Brownsville Police Chief Felix Sauceda identified the suspect as George Alvarez, 34.
Alvarez allegedly killed eight people waiting for public transportation in front of a migrant and homeless shelter.
Police are still investigating if the crash was intentional.
Alvarez's SUV lost control after running a red light before it flipped on its side and careened into 18 pedestrians. Video circulating online shows irate bystanders holding him down to keep him from fleeing.
Alvarez was arraigned on eight counts of manslaughter and 10 counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. A judge set his bail amount at $3.6 million.
At a press conference, Chief Sauceda ensured everyone could see a placard next to him with Alvarez's mug shot and list of prior convictions.
NBC News reports on his lengthy rap sheet:
The driver's criminal history includes two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, a count of assault against an elderly or disabled person, four counts of assault causing bodily injury to a family member, and at least 11 other charges, according to information on a placard displayed at the news conference.
In an interview with NBC News, a migrant from Venezuela said he witnessed the driver cursing at the group and raising his middle finger at them.
The driver, speaking in Spanish, shouted โfโโ- migrants!โ at the people standing at the bus stop, according to the witness, Kendal Madrid, 33.
Chief Sauceda wouldn't comment on reports that Alvarez hurled anti-immigrant remarks as he was led away from the scene.
All eight of Alvarez's victims were adult males from Venezuela.
Roughly two-thirds of all migrants currently in Border Patrol custody in the Rio Grande Valley Sector come from Venezuela.
1 Comment
same people doing the shootings?