A suspect is dead after a shooting in West Texas that left one person dead and at least 9 others injured
At least a dozen people were shot in Midland, Texas, on Friday morning, sparking an hours-long standoff, though it’s not yet known what sparked the mass shooting. Mayor Lori Long confirmed that the shooter had died.
“We have 11 known victims at this time. There is at least one victim deceased at the scene,” Midland Mayor Lori Blong said Friday. “The active shooter status has been resolved, and the shooter has been confirmed dead.”Officers heard gunfire coming from a building in the 4600 block of West Wall Street, Police Chief Greg Snow said in a statement. “Efforts are continuing to bring the confrontation with the shooter to a safe resolution,” Snow said earlier Friday morning.Brenda Bowen, director of All American Collision, said she saw “a man shooting (randomly) at cars passing by.” Her business was shut down as the confrontation unfolded.
A SWAT vehicle broke through the fence, and officers entered an abandoned building where the suspect was holed up, witnesses told CNN.Andrea Mendias, of the nearby Loop 250 Collision Center, said she saw about 20 SWAT officers running inside.After a sheriff’s deputy came to view video of the store, authorities told Mendias they believed the suspect was in the building next door and “may be connected to a random shooting from the night before,” she said.
Midland is located in West Texas, about halfway between Fort Worth and El Paso.FBI Director Kash Patel said the agency was at the scene. The FBI is on scene and has deployed special agents and victim services personnel to assist the Midland Police Department at the scene of today’s shooting – and we will keep the public as informed as possible.”“Cecilia and I are deeply saddened by the senseless acts of violence in Midland. We are praying for the victims, their families and the entire community.
“I have been briefed on the matter and applaud the quick response from the Midland Police Department, the Police Department and all ancillary law enforcement agencies,” Gov. Greg Abbott said.Former US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo wrote on social media: “Susan and I are horrified by the shooting in Midland, Texas, and are grateful to law enforcement for preventing this from becoming an even greater tragedy. We are praying for the victims and their families.”