At least 31 killed in US weekend mass shootings

Yamileth Lopez sits while holding a photo of her deceased friend Javier Amir Rodriguez at a makeshift memorial for victims outside Walmart on Aug. 6, 2019 in El Paso, Texas.

Dayton, Ohio, and El Paso, Texas, are reeling after a pair of mass shootings left at least 31 people dead across the two cities.

President Trump and first lady Melania Trump plan to visit both cities on Wednesday.

We’re wrapping up our live coverage, but here’s what we know so far about the two attacks:

El Paso:

Dayton:

Dayton shooting victim Lois Oglesby was out for the first time with some friends after having a baby when she was shot and killed Sunday, a spokesperson for the family told CNN. 

Cherish Cronmiller, president and CEO of Miami Valley Community Action Partnership (MVCAP), said Oglesby, who also went by Lola, was going back to work at a daycare. She leaves behind two children, 7-year-old Hannah and 2-month-old Reigh, Cronmiller added. 

Oglesby’s mother LaSandra James has worked at MVCAP for nearly 23 years.

The company set up a Facebook fundraiser that has already raised $20,000 for the family and children, Cronmiller said.

“I think Lola would’ve loved to know how many people care and are trying to help take care of her babies,” she added.

Rep. Veronica Escobar (D-TX) answers questions after a news conference following a mass shooting in El Paso, Texas, on Aug. 3, 2019.

Democratic Rep. Veronica Escobar of Texas on Tuesday said she declined an invitation to join President Donald Trump on his upcoming visit to El Paso, Texas, as the city recovers from a mass shooting.

“I declined the invitation because I refuse to be an accessory to his visit,” said Escobar, who represents El Paso. “I refuse to join without a dialogue about the pain his racist and hateful words & actions have caused our community and country.”

Trump’s visit to El Paso Wednesday comes after a man opened fire at a shopping center, killing 22 people. A 21-year-old white supremacist is in custody in the domestic terrorism case. In a televised address Monday, Trump called on the nation to “condemn racism, bigotry and white supremacy” but stopped short of acknowledging his own divisive and racist rhetoric.

Escobar, who told MSNBC Monday that Trump wasn’t welcome in her community, said she requested a phone call with the President to “share what I have now heard from many constituents” but was told he was “too busy.”

The ex-girlfriend of Dayton shooter Connor Betts told CNN that he was fascinated by mass shootings.

“He talked about it a lot,” Adelia Johnson said. “It was his main focus as a psychology person. He was interested in what makes terrible people do terrible things.”

Johnson said that she and Betts bonded over mental illness.

In a long statement, Johnson said she met Betts in college and they bonded over depression humor.

She said on their first date, Betts showed her video of a mass shooting and gave her a play-by-play of what was happening. Johnson said she felt it was not abnormal for a psychology student to be fascinated by the horrors of humans.

Their relationship, she said, consisted mostly of going out drinking and talking about mental illness.

Four patients remain hospitalized in Ohio after Sunday’s shooting in Dayton, according to hospital officials.

Three patients remain at Miami Valley Hospital, according to spokesperson Ben Sutherly. One patient is in serious condition, one is in fair condition and one is in stable condition, he said.

All patients at Grandview Medical Center have been released, according to Elizabeth Long, spokesperson for the Kettering Health Network.

One patient remains in fair condition at the Kettering Medical Center, she said.

A new powerful mural in El Paso is reminding the community of its strength.

Gabe Vasquez painted the art piece that reads “El Paso Strong.” He told CNN affiliate KFOX that he started working on it Monday night as a way to show the community to stand together.

Inside the letters, the Franklin Mountains, a range that extends from El Paso to New Mexico.

Ivan Filiberto Manzano, one of the 22 people killed in Saturday’s shooting in El Paso, was a caring friend and devoted father, his coworkers told CNN today.

Manzano worked in marketing at a Juarez radio station about five miles from Walmart, where a gunman allegedly targeted Mexicans and immigrants on Saturday.

His colleagues said Manzano adored his young son and daughter and cared for his ailing mother.

They said they expect his body will be returned this week to Mexico for burial.

The family of the man who authorities say killed 22 people in El Paso, Texas, are speaking out.

Patrick Crusius’ family said in a statement they have been focused on the “countless families and friends of those affected by this atrocity.” They went on to say that their son’s actions were influenced in ways they didn’t know or condone.

The family’s statement also praised law enforcement and first responders who came to the scene. 

“The selflessness and devotion to total strangers in the face of indescribable suffering is something that we deeply respect and admire,” the statement said.

Some background: Police said the suspected shooter had a ”stone cold look” when he surrendered. He has been charged with capital murder in the mass shooting that left 22 people dead and more than two dozen wounded, according to court records and is being held without bond.

President Trump and first lady Melania Trump will visit El Paso, Texas, and Dayton, Ohio, on Wednesday –– two cities reeling from mass shootings that left dozens dead.

The White House has not finalized or announced his activities on the ground, but here’s what you can expect during the visits:

Some members of each community have expressed concern at the President’s visit. But the White House has downplayed those concerns.

“The President’s the president of all the people,” Gidley said.

Law enforcement officials still do not know why a suspected shooter opened fire in Dayton, Ohio, on Sunday, but they said it was not racially motivated.

He continued: “Again, we have a lot to go through.”

Wickerham said a “thorough and methodical investigation” in coordination with the Dayton police is ongoing.

He said they are looking into the suspected shooter’s past to try to find out why he would commit violence, but warned “one piece of evidence does not necessarily constitute a motive.”

Ohio Congressman Mike Turner, who represents Dayton and whose daughter was across the street when the shooting took place, said he supports “preventing military style weapon sales to civilians, magazine limits, and red flag legislation.” 

The Republican lawmaker issued a statement today that detailed his position:

The man who authorities say is responsible for a mass shooting in Dayton, Ohio, was “exploring violent ideologies” and had “expressed the desire to commit a mass shooting,” law enforcement officials said today.

Dayton Police Chief Richard Biehl said investigators reviewed evidence that showed the shooter Connor Betts “had a history of obsession with violent ideation to include mass shootings and expressed a desire to commit a mass shooting.”

Todd Wickerham, special agent in charge of the FBI’s Cincinnati office, said the FBI had not made a final determination on the shooter’s motive.

Senate Republicans are working to come up with a legislative response after two deadly mass shootings this weekend.

On a private conference call Monday, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell discussed steps forward with three committee chairmen and Sen. John Cornyn, whose state of Texas was home to one of the shootings from the weekend.

The call did not discuss bringing the Senate back to session during the August recess. House Democrats have been demanding the Senate move on a universal background check bill, according to sources familiar with the private call. 

Instead, McConnell urged Cornyn and the committee chairmen to look into whether new legislation is warranted, if it would meet the goals laid out in President Trump’s Monday remarks and could win bipartisan support.

Here is what each chairman plans to look into going forward:

No specific timeframe was laid out yet, but the goal was to find ways to advance legislation in the fall session when Congress returns from recess, the sources said.

Over the recess, GOP senators and staff are expected to engage in discussions with Trump administration officials about what else could be done legislatively that could garner support from the White House.

How Democrats are reacting: House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer both have said that other legislative proposals can be considered down the road but they are first demanding the Senate hold a vote on the sweeping background checks bill that passed the House earlier this year.

McConnell has no interest in moving the background checks bill since it lacks both Trump’s support and the backing of most Senate Republicans, sources told CNN.

Logan Turner, one of the nine people killed in Sunday’s shooting in Dayton, Ohio, had just turned 30.

His family was planning a party for him on Sunday, his father Mike Turner said. The cake and presents are still on the table at their home.

His father told CNN that the card he wrote to his son is still unopened.

Demonstrators gathered at Dayton City Hall in Ohio today to protest President Trump’s upcoming visit following Sunday’s mass shooting.

Protesters were urged to tell Dayton Mayor Nan Whaley that Trump’s expected visit was not welcomed, according to the event’s Facebook page.

Sharon Leahy was among the group of protesters.

A survivor of Saturday’s shooting in El Paso, Texas, described the moment the gunman shot and killed his nephew in front of him.

Speaking from Del Sol Medical Center, the man told reporters he tried to pull his nephew to safety, but “the shooter came because he heard us. He shot him.”

Asked what he would say to President Trump if he could, he said, “Why the racism?”

Watch the moment:

The FBI is launching a domestic terrorism investigation into the July 28 Gilroy Garlic Festival shooting that left three people dead and a dozen others injured.

Law enforcement has made no final determination of motive, but it is clear the shooter was exploring various violent ideologies, John Bennett, special agent in charge, announced at a news conference today.

“There is no manifesto,” Bennett said.

Among the items uncovered in their search of Santino Legan’s digital media, the FBI found a list of nationwide organizations that may have been potential targets. The targets include religious, government and political buildings, including federal facilities, courthouses, and the Garlic festival in California.

Bennett said the FBI will not be releasing any names of specific organizations.

Legan opened fire in the middle of the Gilroy Garlic Festival, which draws crowds in the tens of thousands each year. In about a minute, the shooting left three people dead and a dozen injured.

He was wearing body armor when he fired 39 rounds into the crowd before he was engaged by three responding officers, Gilroy Police Chief Scot Smithee said. 

Legan had more than 70 rounds of unspent ammunition left. A Remington shotgun was found in Legan’s vehicle, and two loose rounds, a rifle scope, flashlight, and shovel were among the items found in his backpack.

Law enforcement sources previously told CNN of finding extremist material in the shooter’s Nevada apartment.

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine announced proposals today to address gun violence following a Sunday’s mass shooting that left nine dead.

Here’s what he is proposing:

A surveillance camera captured the sounds of gunfire during a mass shooting in Dayton, Ohio, on Sunday.

The shooting took place in the city’s downtown, nightlife district, and the camera was positioned in the back alley behind Fifth Street.

The video, obtained by CNN, shows people running away as loud bangs ring out.

Listen:

Jordan Anchondo’ parents said they forgive the El Paso shooter who killed their daughter and son in law.

Jordan and Andre Anchondo died protecting their newborn baby from gunfire during a mass shooting in El Paso that killed 22 people. Andre jumped in front of Jordan to try to save her from the bullets as Jordan shielded their baby, Paul.

“We can’t replace mom and dad,” Jordan’s father, Paul Jamrowski said. “That’s just something you can’t replace.”

Their family said they are heartbroken.

“Her and Andre were like my heart. It’s like I lost a part of me,” said Jordan’s sister, Ashley Jamrowski.

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