News for North Texas
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

El Paso Mourns: A Special Report From The Texas Newsroom

A couple draped in U.S. and Mexican flags leave after the mural unveiling ceremony in El Paso.
Stella M. Chávez
/
KERA News
A couple draped in U.S. and Mexican flags leave after the mural unveiling ceremony in El Paso.

"I'm the shooter" -- that's what the accused El Paso gunman told officers when he surrendered last weekend. That comes from an arrest warrant affadavit that was obtained today. He also said he targeted Mexicans -- and in a city that's 80% Latino, reporters from The Texas Newsroom have spent the week chronicling a community that's angry, defiant ... and scared.

Reporters Norma Martinez and Lauren Terrazas work at Texas Public Radio, and both are from El Paso. They came home this week to a city in mourning.

As Norma writes, "A deep fear among some El Pasoans has cast a chilling shadow over their defiant shows of strength and unity. For others, the tragedy offers opportunities to elicit bittersweet smiles, express their love for each other and confront this nation's darkest truths."

KERA's Stella Chavez flew in just a few hours after the city was shocked by gunfire. And in a Reporter's Notebook, she reflected on a tough week.