Police chief: 5 dead in West Texas mass shooting

ODESSA, Texas (AP) — At least five people were dead after a gunman who hijacked a postal service vehicle in West Texas shot more than 20 people, authorities said Saturday. The gunman was killed and three law enforcement officers were among the injured.

Odessa Police Chief Michael Gerke said that in addition to the injured officers, there were at least 21 civilian shooting victims. He said at least five people died. He did not say whether the shooter was among the dead. It was not clear whether he was including the five dead among the at least 21 civilian shooting victims.

The shooting comes just weeks after a gunman in the Texas border city of El Paso killed 22 people after opening fire at a Walmart. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott this week held two meetings with lawmakers about how to prevent mass more shootings in Texas. He said he would visit the area Sunday.

The shooting began with a traffic stop where gunfire was exchanged with police, setting off a chaotic afternoon during which the suspect hijacked a U.S. Postal Service vehicle and began firing at random in the area of Odessa and Midland, hitting multiple people. Cell phone video showed people running out of the movie theater, and as Odessa television station KOSA aired breaking developments on live TV, their broadcast was interrupted by police telling them they had to clear the area.

Police initially reported that there could be more than one shooter, but Gerke says authorities now believe it was only one.

“Once this individual was taken out of the picture, there have been no more victims,” Gerke said.

Gerke described the suspect as a white male in his 30s. He did not name him but said he has some idea who he is.

Russell Tippin, CEO of Medical Center Hospital in Odessa, said 14 shooting victims were being treated at the hospital Saturday evening but he did not give their conditions or other information about the victims. Social workers and professional counselors are at the hospital to provide support to the families of shooting victims, Tippin said. He also said the hospital has been locked down for that safety of the staff and patients.

“Right now the hospital is stable, it’s secure,” Tippin said.

Dustin Fawcett was sitting in his truck at a Starbucks in Odessa when he heard at least six gunshots ring out less than 50 yards behind him.

At first, he thought it might have been a tire blowing but he heard more shots and spotted a white sedan with a passenger window that had been shattered. That’s when he thought, “Oh man, this is a shooting.”

Fawcett, 28, an Odessa transportation consultant, “got out to make sure everyone was safe” but found that no one had been struck by the gunfire nearby. He said a little girl was bleeding, but she hadn’t been shot, and that he found out she was grazed in the face.

Fawcett said authorities responded quickly and when police pulled out their rifles and vests he knew that “this is not a drive-by. This is something else, this is something bigger.”

Vice President Mike Pence said following the shooting that President Donald Trump and his administration “remain absolutely determined” to work with leaders in both parties in Congress to take such steps “so we can address and confront this scourge of mass atrocities in our country.”

Preparing to fly to Poland, Pence told reporters that Trump is “fully engaged” and closely monitoring the investigation. He said, “Our hearts go out to all the victims, the families and loved ones.” He also commended law enforcement “for their swift, courageous response.”

Pence said Trump has deployed the federal government in response to the shootings. He says Trump has spoken to the attorney general and that the FBI is already assisting local law enforcement.

Odessa is about 20 miles  southwest of Midland. Both are more than 300 miles west of Dallas.

News

Athens makes a splash with groundbreaking of Sunrise Park

More Stories

Gov. Ivey signs a pair of senate bills into law

News

Commission approves agreement for roadway improvements at Pryor Field

More Stories

Alabama’s road conditions ranked second best in the United States

More Stories

Gov. Ivey commutes death sentence for 1991 Decatur murder prisoner

More Stories

42nd Alabama State Games registration opens

More Stories

Alabama Republican Party re-elects John Wahl as Chairman

More Stories

Warning siren failure in Limestone County

News

‘Great things ahead’: Mayor Marks shares insights on city’s future in annual address

More Stories

Grammy-nominated singer Angie Stone dies in Montgomery car crash

More Stories

Limestone County outdoor warning sirens malfunctioning

News

Melson disputes patient’s version of conversation regarding purchasing medical cannabis ‘off the street’

More Stories

Homeland Security recognizes ALEA as Partner of the Year

More Stories

Athens earns 2024 Tree City USA recognition from Arbor Day Foundation

More Stories

Teacher of the Year: Anna Thompson

News

‘Justice was served’: Limestone County jury finds Morgan County man guilty of murder after 10-day trial

News

Brookyln’s brave battle: The inspiring journey of a local kids life with spinal muscular atrophy

More Stories

Teacher of the Year: Jennie Fullmer

More Stories

Teacher of the Year: Kaitlin Sparkman

More Stories

Ardmore welcomes new family medicine center

More Stories

Hit and run claims life of Athens man

More Stories

LCSO arrest Athens man for infant abuse

News

Final Curtain Call: Beloved Band Director Dan Havely passes away

News

Calhoun Community College to go virtual due to impending weather