At least one person was killed and 10 others injured in a shooting and hours-long standoff in Midland, Texas, on June 12 that authorities said ended with the suspected shooter also dead.
The gunfight in the West Texas city brought to a close a lengthy manhunt that began when a man fired a rifle at a Midland Police Department officer on June 10, city officials said. The officer was not injured.
According to City of Midland spokesperson Stewart Doreen, the man at the center of the two shootings is the same: Victor Mata Villarreal, a 45-year-old resident of nearby Odessa, Texas.
Police were unable to locate Villarreal following the June 10 shooting. Two days later, police found him at the end of a standoff that began with 911 calls around 8 a.m. about an active shooter in the 4600 block of West Wall Street.
Villarreal fired on bystanders and officers alike, then barricaded himself inside an abandoned veterinary clinic building, the Texas Department of Public Safety reported.
He was found dead inside the building at about 12:30 p.m. local time after a standoff that saw armored units and law enforcement agencies form a perimeter around the structure.
City officials said the person killed on Friday was City of Midland employee Ed Scott, who was known as longtime member of the local softball community and a devoted husband and father.
The June 10 shooting began after police attempted to pull over Villarreal close to midnight that evening. He exited his car to fire upon officers, then drove away. Police found the vehicle abandoned but were unable to locate the suspected shooter.
Midland Mayor Lori Blong said authorities confirmed that the shooter had been killed via footage from a robot and drone. More details were not immediately released.
“Law enforcement is still securing the scene,” Blong said.
There are 11 known victims, one of whom died at the scene, Blong said during a news conference. Multiple people were sent to hospitals.
“I would really ask Midlanders to pray for the families of those who have been impacted, for the victims themselves, for the family of the one who is confirmed deceased,” Blong said.
FBI Director Kash Patel said federal agents also deployed to the scene to assist Midland police.
Members of the public were asked to avoid the area while emergency responders continued to investigate.
Midland Memorial Hospital received nine of the victims connected to the active shooter incident. As of just before 1 p.m. CT, five had been discharged from the hospital, Director of Planning, Marketing and Communications Tasa Richardson told USA TODAY.
Of the remaining four patients, one remained in surgery and three other people who also underwent surgery were in recovery, Richardson said.
The area where the shooting was initially reported is about 4 miles southwest of the hospital in Midland.
Midland Memorial Hospital was locked down starting at 8:20 a.m. local time due to an “active shooter event,” Richardson said. The hospital lifted its lockdown later that morning.
“MMH has established a family reunification for victims’ families at the main campus of Midland Memorial Hospital,” Richardson said. “Family members may enter through the main entrance doors and gather in hospital cafeteria. Please avoid the hospital if you are not in need of emergency medical attention.”
A blood drive has been scheduled at the hospital for June 13, from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. CT, Richardson said.
A motive in the shooting was not immediately known.
“As this is an active investigation, no additional information is being released,” Texas DPS said.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said he was briefed on the shooting and praised the response from law enforcement.
“Cecilia and I are deeply saddened by the senseless act of violence in Midland. We are praying for the victims, their families, and the entire community,” Abbott said in a post to social media, referring to Texas first lady Cecilia Abbott.
Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, also thanked law enforcement for what he called their quick response to the scene.
“Heidi and I are heartbroken by the horrific shooting in Midland, and we are praying for the victims, their families and the city of Midland,” Cruz posted on X. “We are grateful to the law enforcement officers and first responders who moved swiftly to protect the community.”
Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to contact Texas DPS or their local law enforcement agency.
This story has been updated with new information and to add video.
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