Report: El Paso shooter bought weapon from Romania, ammo from Russia

The 21-year-old gunman accused of killing 22 people in a shooting rampage at an El Paso Walmart has told law enforcement that he bought his AK-47 style weapon from Romania and 1,000 rounds of ammunition from Russia, according to the Texas Tribune.

Citing a Texas Department of Public Safety report, the Tribune said Patrick Crusius, who has confessed to the Aug. 3 shootings, told authorities that he bought the semi-automatic WASR-10 from Romania and had it sent to a retail gun dealer near his home in Allen, Texas.

The Tribune notes that while he said he bought the weapon from Romania, gun experts say he likely bought a Romanian-manufactured gun that had been imported into the U.S.

Buyers purchasing foreign-made weapons must undergo a federal background check through the retail dealer where the weapon is shipped.

The Tribune, quoting an Arms Trade Treaty report, said that about 9,000 semi-automatic rifles were imported from Romania last year.

The ammunition can be sent directly to the purchaser's home, according to the report.

Crusius, who published an online manifesto moments before the shootings, faces capital murder charges. He is quoted as telling authorities that he “wanted to shoot as many Mexicans as possible.”

The attack is also being investigated as a possible hate crime.

The DPS report also said the suspect “was surprised no one challenged him or shot him” when he walked into the store.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: El Paso shooter: Report says he bought gun from Romania