Texas, New Mexico dioceses unite in prayer after El Paso shooting

The Catholic dioceses of the El Paso and neighboring Las Cruces, New Mexico have joined in prayer after an August 3 mass shooting in a mall left several dead and many injured.

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"Our prayers are with our neighboring city of El Paso and everyone affected by the active shooter situation near Cielo Vista and Walmart," tweeted the Diocese of Las Cruces the afternoon of August 3. "We ask our Las Cruces community to unite in prayer at this difficult time."

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The two cities are less than 50 miles from one another.

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Authorities have not yet released the number of victims from the shooting near or at the Cielo Vista Mall in El Paso, but a suspect is believed to be in police custody.

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The Diocese of El Paso also asked for prayers as the situation unfolds.

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"Our prayers are with everyone involved," the diocese said via Twitter, adding: "We ask everyone in the El Paso area to unite with us in prayer for everyone involved."

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The nonprofit Hope Border Institute of the El Paso Diocese asked anyone who could do so to donate blood at a center in the city. It also gave local directions via Twitter for those looking for loved ones believed to have been in the area.