Ep 1. Targeting El Paso

In the first episode of season 39 of Frontline, titled "Targeting El Paso," the show examines the shooting that took place at a Walmart in El Paso, Texas on August 3, 2019. The episode delves into the shooter's ideologies and beliefs, as well as the rise of white nationalist violence in America.

The episode begins with an overview of the events of the shooting, which killed 22 people and injured many more. The shooter, Patrick Crusius, posted a manifesto online prior to the attack, stating his belief in a "Hispanic invasion" of the United States. The episode explores Crusius' background and ideology, presenting interviews with people who knew him as well as experts on white nationalist ideology.

The episode also explores the broader rise of white nationalist violence in America. It examines the Trump administration's response to the rise of white nationalism and the ways in which hate speech has been normalized online. The show interviews survivors of the shooting and their families, highlighting the devastating impact the attack had on the community.

Throughout the episode, Frontline investigates the ways in which the El Paso shooting was indicative of a broader trend of white nationalist violence in the United States. It examines the role of social media in the radicalization of young men, as well as the ways in which law enforcement agencies have failed to prevent and respond to domestic terrorism.

The episode features interviews with experts on domestic terrorism and white nationalist violence, including Christian Picciolini, a former neo-Nazi who now works to de-radicalize people who have been involved in hate groups. It also features interviews with journalists and academics who have studied the rise of white nationalist violence in America.

"Targeting El Paso" is a powerful and timely episode of Frontline that sheds light on the devastating impact of white nationalist violence in America. It offers a nuanced and complex look at the factors that contribute to this type of violence, including the normalization of hate speech and the spread of extremist ideologies online. The episode is a call to action for policymakers and law enforcement officials to take domestic terrorism more seriously and to work to prevent future attacks.