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Gov. Abbott forms state domestic terrorism task force

Texas governor announces domestic terrorism task force
Posted at 3:22 PM, Aug 14, 2019
and last updated 2019-08-14 16:22:53-04

Texas now has a domestic terrorism task force.

Governor Greg Abbott says the task force has been created because of the mass shooting in El Paso, in which 22 people died when a gunman opened fire at a local Walmart. The gunman, who surrendered to police, said he was targeting Mexicans.

Its function will be to analyze current and emerging threats in the state and develop response strategies.

The task force will create domestic terrorism teams made up of DPS special agents who will investigate criminal gangs affiliated with Neo-Nazi and white nationalist groups.

Those DPS agents will also work with the FBI's joint terrorism task forces.

The task force will hold its first roundtable meeting on Aug. 30th.

Members include Gov. Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, Attorney General Ken Paxton, House Speaker Dennis Bonnen, DPS Col. Steve McCraw, Division of Emergency Management Chief W. Nim Kidd; Texas Military Dept. Major General Tracy Norris, Texas Department of Information Resources Executive Director Amanda Crawford; Parks & Wildlife Dept. Executive Director Carter Smith, members of ICE, U.S. Border Patrol, Secret Service and the FBI, U.S. Attorney for the Western District John Bash, Jeff Murray from the Department of Homeland Security and various local law enforcement officials.