ODESSA, Texas — Seven people are dead and 25 were injured in a shooting in the Midland-Odessa area.
- Shooter was pulled over by authorities
- 25 people injured
- 7 people killed
Odessa Police Chief Michael Gerke said that among the injured were three officers, from the Odessa Police Department, Midland Police Department, and the Texas Department of Public Safety.
Odessa police said the gunman has been identified as Seth Aaron Ator. The police department posted the update on Facebook. Authorities said he is a 36-year-old man from Odessa, but didn't provide any additional information.
State police attempted to stop Ator on Saturday for a traffic violation, when he opened fire. Authorities said he went on a more than 10-mile shooting rampage. Authorities said mail carrier Mary Granados was alone in her U.S. Postal Service truck when she was shot and killed by Ator, who hijacked the vehicle amid his frenzy of violence.
Police are confident that the suspect acted alone.
Gerke said that the ages of those who were killed range from 15 to 57. One of the victims that was injured was 17 months old, and will undergo surgery on Monday.
Authorities said the suspect used an “AR-type weapon”. FBI agent Christopher Combs said Sunday that federal investigators believe the gunman had no connection to terrorism.
The police chief said it is too early to determine a motive.
Governor Greg Abbott spoke about the shooting, the latest event of several that have occurred in the state.
"I have been to too many of these events. As governor I went to the shooting in downtown Dallas that killed police officers, as well as others. Then there was Sutherland Springs, where 26 people were killed. Then there was Santa Fe High School where 10 people were killed. Then less than a month ago, there was a shooting in El Paso, where I am heartbroken by the crying of the people of the state of Texas, by the dying, too many Texans are in mourning, too many Texans have lost their lives. The status quo in Texas is unacceptable. Action is needed," said Abbott.
Odessa police spokesman Steve LeSueur said Sunday that at least one person remains in “life-threatening'' condition. Authorities said the gunman shot more than 20 people before being killed by officers outside a movie theater.
The University of Texas Permian Basin campus was briefly placed under lockdown during the event.
According to the City of Odessa Public Information Officer, the victims’ families went to the cafeteria at Odessa Medical Center where there were 12 chaplains stationed.
Governor Greg Abbott issued the following statement:
“The First Lady and I are heartbroken over this senseless and cowardly attack, and we offer our unwavering support to the victims, their families, and all the people of Midland and Odessa,” said Governor Abbott. “The state of Texas and the Department of Public Safety are working closely with local law enforcement to provide resources as needed and deliver justice for this heinous attack. I thank the first responders who have acted swiftly and admirably under pressure, and I want to remind all Texans that we will not allow the Lone Star State to be overrun by hatred and violence. We will unite, as Texans always do, to respond to this tragedy.”
Authorities say they're processing more than 15 crime scenes in the on-going investigation.
