Police say an active shooter shot 21 people, killing at least five, in a series of random attacks that started with a traffic stop in Odessa, Texas.
“It has been confirmed that the active shooter was shot and killed at the Cinergy in Odessa. There is no active shooter at this time. All agencies are investigating reports of possible suspects,” Midland police wrote.
Police said in a news conference that the incident started with a traffic stop. The suspect shot the officer, and then drove and shot another person. There were then other scenes with multiple victims. Authorities said it was a fluid situation. The suspect was then “contacted by law enforcement” and was killed in an exchange of gunfire. “We have law enforcement injured.” Three officers were struck. Police said there were at least 21 shootings victims and at least five deceased. The suspect is a white male in his mid 30s. His name wasn’t yet released. Earlier reports indicated there were two active shooters, but it now appears there was likely one, although police have not yet definitively ruled out the possibility of a second shooter.
You can listen to live dispatch audio from Midland, Texas police here. The dispatch audio for Odessa fire can be found here. The caption with the Midland police dispatch audio reads, “Active Shooter incident reported on Interstate 20. Multiple victims reported on the freeway. Suspect is currently mobile and search underway.”
Here’s a live stream local news report:
“Active Shooter! Please Share!
A subject (possibly 2) is currently driving around Odessa shooting at random people. At this time there are multiple gunshot victims. The suspect just hijacked a U.S. mail carrier truck and was last seen in the area of 38th and Walnut. Everyone is encouraged to get off the road and use extreme caution! All law enforcement is currently searching for the suspect and more information will be released as soon as it becomes available,” Odessa Police wrote on their Facebook page.
BREAKING: 30 people have been shot between Odessa & Midland Texas, police tell CBS News.
There are 2 suspect on the loose in 2 separate vehicles.
As of 5:05p EST today, per police:
10 victims shot in Midland
20 victims shot in Odessa
See below.
Here’s what you need to know:
One Man Reported Truckers Being Shot But Details Are Still Very Preliminary
Information on the possible mass shooting is still unfolding. Often in such active shooter situations, details can be contradictory or even wrong in the early stages. However, it’s clear that something major was going down in Odessa. On the dispatch audio, police were checking – and had ruled out – an active shooter at a mall.
“There are reports of an active shooter at the Home Depot in Odessa. For the safety of the public and law enforcement please stay away from the area and stay in your homes. We will update will more information as soon as possible,” Midland, Texas police wrote on Facebook. Police told Heavy there were multiple injuries. However, Home Depot later told Heavy: “there was not a shooting in our store in Odessa (or Midland).”
MY BOSS JUST GOT SHOT AT ON TANGLEWOOD AND MAPLE PLEASE GUYS STAY OFF THE ROADS AT CENTRAL ODESSA
BE SAFE
This man posted a live video on Facebook in which he claimed that people were shot in trucks on the side of the road. That information had not been confirmed. “I don’t know what’s going on, but it’s chaos,” he said. “It’s not safe.” He said he’d seen dozens of officers. “There’s truck people, people laid out…”
Midland police later said there are two shooters. “Update * We believe there are two shooters in two separate vehicles. One suspect is believed to be at the Cinergy in Midland and the other is believed to be driving on Loop 250 in Midland. The two vehicles in question are: gold/white small Toyota truck and a USPS Jeep. Please stay away from these areas and stay indoors,” wrote police. However, as noted, it later turned out there is likely one.
The University of Texas of the Permian Basin also wrote about the situation on Twitter. “Falcons: law enforcement in Midland and Odessa are working to locate and contain a shooter. Please stay in your dorm or office and do not open your doors. There were initial reports that the suspect was in east odessa. We will post here as soon as the situation is under control,” the Twitter page for UT wrote.
And: “Lock DownLock down in place. Officers are looking for suspect in shooting in the are of UTPB Campus. LOCK DOWN NOW.”
This post is being updated as more information is learned about the active shooter situation.