How to claim cars left at Walmart parking lot, find more services at Family Assistance Center

El Paso Times (TX)

Aug. 6--Anyone who has a vehicle in the Walmart parking lot near Cielo Vista Mall is now able to claim it, according to the El Paso office of the FBI.

Individuals need to go to the Family Assistance Center, which has been set up at the El Paso convention center, by the city's Office of Emergency Management and the American Red Cross.

"El Paso is strong and our residents are resilient. To help our community and region heal from this tragedy, we will be transitioning our Family Reunification Center to Family Assistance Center," said Fire Chief Mario D'Agostino in a city press release.

To claim a vehicle, people need to bring a set of keys, identification, proof of ownership and insurance.

If people are missing a document, center representatives will work with them on a case by case basis. Perhaps, they can bring another document such as car payment statement, or something that has a VIN on it, an FBI spokesperson said.

If a person can't claim their vehicle in person, they can send another person with a written permission to pick up their vehicle.

Vicki Salas was one of the people who visited the center to pick up her car after the shooting on Saturday. She said she ran out of the back of the Walmart when she began to hear shooting.

"I can just hear the gunshots and people yelling over and over, families," she said.

She said the mood inside of the center is sad, but people are working together.

"Everybody is mourning, but the community has come together strong because that's what we are. We are strong."

Escobar said staff was doing everything they could to help survivors.

"Their lives have been disrupted in innumerable ways," Veronica Escobar said at the center. "Painful profound ways and also practical ways. I know and hear a lot of folks just wanted to get their car keys or had things in the car that made the last couple days very difficult. I did not want to invade that in any way, but we wanted to make sure that we're set up, that we have a table there to offer support to families that might need help."

Services available at Family Assistance Center

The center will have services available that include locksmiths and replacement identification. Other services will include counseling/spiritual care, health care assistance, language translation, travel assistance, financial support, legal support, and other resources from public and private organizations.

The center will be open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. starting Tuesday, Aug. 6, continuing the next 10-12 days. Parking fees will be waived for individuals visiting the center.

"We invite everyone, whether they just need to talk, or they are seeking services to help them move forward, to visit the center," said D'Agostino said.

Anyone needing immediate support may call 779-1800.

"There's a myriad of challenges ahead for all of us survivors from accessing VA services, the Social Security Administration, to probate work they might need support with. They also are going to need access to mental health services. There was significant trauma that has occurred and many of those agencies are inside."

To honor the victims and first responders who immediately responded to the mass shooting at the Walmart, the light sculptures on Interstate 10 near Airway will light up the skies in blue. These lights are located near the site of the shooting.

María Cortés González covers entertainment and trending news in the El Paso area. She may be reached at 915-546-6150; [email protected]; @EPTMaria on Twitter. Support more coverage like this with a subscription.

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