El Paso opening healing centre after attack that killed 22

A man cries beside a cross at a makeshift memorial near the scene of a mass shooting at a shopping complex Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2019, in El Paso, Texas. The border city jolted by a weekend massacre at a Walmart absorbed more grief Monday as the death toll climbed and prepared for a visit from President Donald Trump over anger from El Paso residents and local Democratic leaders who say he isn't welcome and should stay away. (AP Photo/John Locher)

EL PASO, Texas — The Texas border city still reeling from a weekend mass shooting in which 22 people were killed is opening a community centre to help residents grieve.

El Paso officials announced Tuesday visitors to the centre can receive counselling, travel assistance and financial support. Fire Chief Mario D’Agostino says anyone who needs to talk or who needs help moving forward from the tragedy is welcome.

The death toll in Saturday’s shooting nearly matches the number of homicides El Paso had in all of 2018. Authorities have charged 21-year-old Patrick Crusius with capital murder.

Authorities say Crusius drove more than 10 hours to the border from his hometown near Dallas. A racist, anti-Hispanic screed was posted online before the shooting in the mostly Latino city of 700,000 people.

President Donald Trump will visit El Paso on Wednesday.

The Associated Press