UPDATE September 1, 2019 at 8:08 PM MIDLAND, Texas (AP) – Authorities say the death toll during a West Texas shooting rampage in which seven people died and 22 others were injured may have been even higher had the shooter not been stopped and killed outside a crowded movie theater.
At a news conference Sunday, law enforcement officials speculated the suspect may have planned to continue shooting inside the Cinergy Movie Theater in Odessa before the hijacked U.S. Postal Service vehicle he was driving was disabled by law enforcement officers. The suspect shot and wounded police officers before he was killed.
Odessa Police Chief Michael Gerke says the gunman likely wouldn’t drive to the theater unless he planned to go inside. Gerke says the shooting remains under investigation but that the suspect’s death outside the theater may have saved lives.
Authorities identified the gunman as 36-year-old Seth Aaron Ator, of Odessa.
UPDATE September 1, 2019 at 2:32 PM – MIDLAND, Texas (AP) — Texas Gov. Greg Abbott says a 17-month-old girl who sustained injuries to her face and chest in a shooting rampage that left seven dead is recovering but faces surgery.
The child was among 22 people injured when a gunman went on a more than 10-mile rampage in the area of Odessa and Midland. Officers killed the gunman outside a movie theater. Authorities identified the gunman as 36-year-old Seth Aaron Ator, of Odessa.
Abbott says the child’s mother sent a text message prior to a news conference Sunday where he discussed the shooting.
Abbott says the child suffered injuries to her bottom lip, tongue and front teeth and faces surgery on Monday to remove shrapnel from her chest. But Abbott says the girl’s mother texted: “Toddlers are funny because they can get shot but still want to run around and play.”
UPDATE 6:18 PM – Police report five people shot and killed; 20 more wounded. 3 injured are reported to be law enforcement officers, one each from Texas Department of Public Safety, Midland Police Department and the Odessa Police Department. Gunman thus far, identified only as a white male in his 30’s. Officials say the shootings began with a traffic stop, and the suspect reportedly firing at the officer who pulled him over on Interstate 20 in Odessa. The gunman is reported to have shot the state trooper who pulled him over, driving away and firing at random from a gold colored Honda vehicle. Reports indicate that vehicle was traded for a hijacked U S Postal Service mail truck, from which the suspect is reported to have continued firing at people while driving.
UPDATE 6:17 PM – Police now indicate as many as 20 people have been shot; three critically injured.
UPDATE 5:58 PM – Police now indicate a suspected gunman is dead, and among 13 shot and wounded, allegedly by a gunman, three are reported in critical condition.
UPDATE 5:52 PM – Information continues to change frequently, but newer reports indicate one person is dead, 13 more shot and wounded, possibly including a police officer. Initial reports indicated a shooter opened fire at Odessa’s Cinergy Movie Theater, and a second possible suspect may have opened fire in public at a Home Depot in Midland. Unconfirmed reports are conflicting as to whether there are one or two suspects; one was described as driving a gold truck and firing at people. Police in the area are asking drivers to avoid the area, particularly Interstate 20, and to shelter in place until the all clear is sounded.
MIDLAND – Midland police say several people have been shot and one or two suspects are being sought. Odessa police indicate a suspect hijacked a mail carrier truck and began firing from that truck. Midland police believe two suspects may be involved in two separate incidents. Police are looking for a gold truck that could belong or be involved with one of the suspects. No further details yet available.
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