One dead and at least 10 others wounded in Texas shooting
At least one person is dead and nine people are hospitalized after a shooting in Texas, authorities said Friday.
Police were initially “at odds” with the gunman but said the suspect died early Friday afternoon local time in the western Texas town of Midland, about 330 miles (530 km) west of Dallas.
There are 11 known victims, including those who died, local officials said at the press conference. Midland Memorial Hospital says nine victims have been found and four are currently in surgery. Another person was taken to Odessa Medical Center Hospital, NBC News reported.
“My heart breaks for the victims and their families,” Midland Mayor Lori Blong said.
“We pray for everyone affected by what happened today and for the law enforcement officers who were put at risk. [their] Your own safety to protect our community,” he continued.
Blong said police officers received the first calls about the shooting at 8:03 local time (14:03 GMT) and quickly responded to the scene.
The suspect confronted the police for approximately two hours after the conflict started. The Associated Press reported that police said the incident began in one part of the city and ended near a veterinary hospital in another part of the city.
Andrea Mendias, who works at a body shop near the veterinary hospital, told the AP it sounded like at least 40 shots had been fired.
Blong said SWAT and other units were sent to the scene and the suspect was “contained.”
Shortly thereafter, Midland Police posted on Facebook that “the active shooter incident has been resolved and the suspect has been confirmed dead.”
No further information about the suspect was available.
No additional information about the victims was provided. Midland Memorial said the five victims, who are not currently in surgery, are in “stable condition.”
Blong said he was not aware of any officers being injured.
“Texans are heartbroken over news of the Midland shooting,” Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick said on social media.
“Please join Jan and me in praying for the victims, their families, and the city of Midland. Please also pray for our brave first responders who put themselves in harm’s way to keep the Midland community safe. We thank them for their bravery.”
This isn’t the first time Midland has been affected by a mass shooting.
The city of about 140,000 people faced tragedy six years ago when a gunman, fired from his oil services job, was on the loose. Random shooting in Midland and near Odessa, killing seven people and injuring two dozen others.
