Multiple People Shot in West Texas Active Shooter Incident

Police in Odessa, Texas, report that five people were killed and 21 were injured in a shooting that began after a traffic stop. Three officers are said to be among the wounded. Police shot and killed the suspect.

UPDATE 6:00 p.m.:  Press Conference with Odessa Police Department – Chief Michael Gerke. 

The situation began at 3:17  when a DPS trooper pulled over a gold Honda. The driver reportedly shot the trooper and drove away firing at multiple people. There were multiple scenes and multiple victims. The suspect then allegedly stole the mail truck and drove to the Cinergy movie theater complex. Police engaged the suspect and shot and killed him. At least 21 shooting victims and five people dead, the Odessa Police Chief Michael Gerke said.

The suspect is reported to be a white male in his mid-thirties. Once this person was taken out of the picture there have been no further victims, the chief said. The chief explained they initially thought there were multiple shooters because of the multiple vehicles involved and the multiple shooting scenes.

One Midland police officer, one Odessa police officer, and one DPS trooper were shot. 

The chief did not say what type of firearm was used in the shooting.

UPDATE 5:55 p.m.: YourBasin.com reports one suspect has been shot and killed and a second suspect is in custody.

UPDATE 5:50 p.m.:  Midland police report the active shooter was shot and killed at the Cinergy in Odessa. There are no active shooters at this time.

Governor Greg Abbott issued a statement on the shooting.

“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,” Governor Abbott said in a written statement provided to Breitbart Texas. “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.”

UPDATE 5:40 p.m.: YourBasin.com now reports there is no longer an active shooter situation. They report there are two suspects, three police officers shot, and multiple civilians shot. The shootings appeared to have occurred in both Midland and Odessa by two shooters.

UPDATE 5:35 p.m.: YourBasin.com reports three Midland police officers may have been shot. The conditions of the officers have not been reported. A police press conference is expected to begin shortly.

Twitter user @ErnestVillanu13 tweeted photos of two vehicles he claims were shot during the I-20 shooting incident.

The shooter is going around shooting moving vehicles. Stay off I-20 between Odessa and Midland. pic.twitter.com/IeQ4oBF1nP

— Ernest Villanueva (@ErnestVillanu13) August 31, 2019

UPDATE 5:30 p.m.: NBC News reports one person dead and many injured in the Midland-Odessa shooting.

BREAKING: At least 1 dead and many injured in Odessa-Midland shooting attack, an Odessa city official tells @NBCNews. https://t.co/USvJus1pYQ

It’s still unclear if there is more than 1 shooter — there may be, but unclear.

— Micah Grimes (@MicahGrimes) August 31, 2019

ORIGINAL STORY FOLLOWS:

Media outlets in the Midland-Odessa region report that as many as two shooters in two separate incidents may have shot as many as 20 people. The City of Odessa reports 20 injuries in connection to one of the alleged shootings, CBS7 reports. The local news outlet reports one suspect may be in custody at Cinergy of Midland.

The local CBS affiliate reports that Midland, Texas, officials believe there are two shooters who are firing from multiple vehicles. Police are looking for a gold/white small Toyota truck and a USPS Postal Van. A second suspect is believed to be at the Cinergy in Midland, officials stated.

Midland officials also report that a Texas Department of Public Safety trooper may have been shot in the westbound lanes of I-20. The suspect allegedly shot several people after shooting the trooper, the local CBS station reports.

One of the shootings may be connected to the alleged hijacking of a U.S. Mail truck, YourBasin.com reports. The mail truck was last seen in Odessa, Texas , near 38th and Walnut Streets.

Officials at the University of Texas Permian Basin campus placed the campus on lockdown, KWTX/KOSA reports.

DPS officials urge the public to stay clear of I-20 in Odessa, Midland, and Big Spring as police search for a suspect who shot multiple people including an officer, CBS7 reported.