On Sunday morning, a Range Rover SUV plowed into pedestrians in Brownsville, Texas, killing 8 people.
The incident occurred about 8:30 in the morning in front of the Ozanam Center, a shelter for illegal aliens and the homeless, at the intersection of Minnesota Road and North Bernal Road.
The vehicle reportedly drove up on the curb in front of a bus stop where a group of individuals believed to be migrants were waiting.
“What we see in the video is that this SUV just ran the red light and was about 100 feet away and just went through the people who were sitting in the bus stop,” shelter director Victor Maldonado told the Associated Press.
WATCH:
🚨 BREAKING (GRAPHIC): Surveillance footage of a male intentionally running down people in an SUV at a bus stop (7 dead, 6 injured) in the border town of Brownsville, TX has been released. pic.twitter.com/FqLboc1yPt
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) May 7, 2023
According to Lt. Martin Sandoval, seven people were killed on the scene, and multiple people are being treated for serious and minor injuries at the hospital.
Fox News reported that the driver of the vehicle was a Hispanic male and has been taken into custody.
According to the authorities, the driver is currently being treated at a hospital and is under 24-hour guard monitoring. Police have claimed that they are currently conducting tests to determine if there has been any drug or alcohol use.
Sandoval stated that the driver had been arrested for reckless driving. Additional charges, according to Sandoval, are imminent. He added that it’s starting to appear more and more like it was intentional.
According to Valley Central, the FBI has been brought in to help with the investigation.
WATCH:
On Monday, authorities have identified the suspect.
Brownsville Police Chief Felix Sauceda identified the driver of the vehicle as George Alvarez, 34, who has a long criminal history:
2 Aggravated Assault with a deadly weapon
1 Assault against Elderly or Disabled
4 Assault Causing Bodily Injury to a Family Member
1 Assault of Public Servant
2 Burglary of a vehicle
1 Assault Causing Bodily Injury
2 Criminal Mischief
1 Driving While Intoxicated
1 Evading Arrest Detention
1 Interference with Public Duties
1 Obstruction or Retaliation
1 Possession of Marijuana <2oz
3 Resisting Arrest Search or Transport
1 Theft of Property >$50 <$500
NEW: Brownsville Police Chief Felix Sauceda identified the driver of the vehicle as George Alvarez who ran a red light, flipped his vehicle, struck migrants and tried to flee until he was held down by witnesses.
They haven’t ruled out that it was intentional. Tox report pending. pic.twitter.com/J3ingvPr9P
— Valerie Gonzalez (@ValOnTheBorder) May 8, 2023
He was formally charged and arraigned on 8 counts of manslaughter and 10 charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, according to police.
WATCH:
BREAKING: The driver in a deadly crash that killed 8 people in Brownsville, Texas, has been charged with manslaughter, police say.
The driver, identified by authorities as 34-year-old George Alvarez, killed eight people and injured at least 10 when he plowed into the crowd early… pic.twitter.com/jLMvmyd2JO
— LockharTVMedia (@LockharTVMedia) May 8, 2023
Belos is a photo of Alvarez while he was in the hospital.
Está lacra (INTOXICADO))#EEUU Conductor que arrollo a grupo de #Migrantes en #Brownsville #Texas asesinando a 7 e hiriendo a 11 más se llama #GeorgeAlvarez #Mexicano, al parecer se encontraba INTOXICADO CON ALCOHOL Y DROGAS, recibe atención médica con custodia policia pic.twitter.com/bbO33EFWMa
— Sherlook (@Sherlookk2020) May 8, 2023
A video of the suspect’s arrest and transfer to a police vehicle has been released.
WATCH:
Footage has emerged of the suspect being arrested and escorted to a Police car. pic.twitter.com/vtoptZ1ed9
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) May 7, 2023
🇺🇸 #EEUU | Detenido George Álvarez, responsable del asesinato de 8 migrantes y 5 con graves lesiones en un paradero de bus cercano a un refugio en Brownsville, Texas.pic.twitter.com/712VRNFez1
— JEy! (@JEy_Pz) May 8, 2023
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
