Active shooter killed in Odessa; at least 5 victims dead

KWTX

ODESSA, Texas (KWTX) Police in Midland report a gunman was shot and killed at the Cinergy movie theater in Odessa following several shootings in the area that left five people dead and an additional 21 wounded.

“It has been confirmed that the active shooter was shot and killed at the Cinergy in Odessa,” Midland police said on Facebook, “There is no active shooter at this time. All agencies are investigating reports of possible suspects.”

Odessa Police Chief Michael Gerke confirmed the deaths. He said an Odessa police officer, Midland police officer and a state police officer were wounded by the gunman.

Midland Police, Odessa Police and the Texas Department of Public Safety originally reported two active shooters. Gerke later confirmed there was no second gunman. Once the active shooter was shot and killed, no other shootings were reported, Gerke said.

Police described the shooter as a white man in his mid-30s. The shootings started during a traffic stop, police said. The shooter allegedly fled the scene and led authorities on a chase throughout the Midland-Odessa area.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton expressed his horror on Twitter. “I am horrified to see such a senseless act terrorize the fine people of the Permian Basin,” Paxton said, “Thank you to the courageous local and state first responders who worked quickly to stop this evil attack.”

Earlier Saturday, the Texas Department of Public Safety was urging the public to avoid I-20 in Odessa, Midland and Big Spring as authorities “searched for two active shooters.”

Before police shot and killed the suspect, Odessa Police posted the following message on its Facebook page: “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.”

Midland Police also reported two shooters: “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 University of Texas Permian Basin campus has gone into lock-down. An area mall was evacuated and shut down for the remainder of the day.