At least one person was killed and 10 others were hurt after a gunman opened fire near a building in Texas on Friday.
Authorities identified the suspect as 45-year-old Victor Mata Villarreal, who was ultimately shot by police in Midland after an armed standoff.
Investigators said Villarreal was already wanted on a charge of attempted capital murder of a peace officer, accused of firing several rounds at a Midland Police Department officer during a vehicle chase on Wednesday.
In a Facebook update, city officials said the active shooter situation had been brought to an end and confirmed that the suspect had died.
Officials also warned that the area was still considered an active scene and had not yet been fully cleared. Road closures nearby are expected to stay in place for an extended period while the investigation moves forward.
The violence unfolded shortly after 8 a.m. CT, when officers were dispatched to the 4600 block of West Wall Street following reports of an active shooter.
‘Officers heard gunfire coming from the building and worked quickly to secure and clear the area,’ Midland police chief Greg Snow said in a social media post.
‘Armored units were deployed, and partner agencies assisted in the response. Efforts to bring the standoff with the shooter to a safe resolution are ongoing.’
At least one person is dead and ten are injured after a gunman opened fire near a building in Midland, Texas
The suspect, identified as Victor Mata Villarreal, 45, was taken down by police in Midland following an armed standoff
The chaos erupted Friday morning and cops were called to reports of an active shooter in the 4600 block of West Wall Street
A helicopter seen flying over the scene on Friday after the suspect barricaded themselves inside a building
A nearby hospital was placed on lockdown following the reports of gunfire.
‘At 8.20am, Midland Memorial Hospital went on lockdown due to an active shooter event in Midland,’ the hospital wrote on X.
‘As of 10.10am, MMH lifted the lockdown for the main campus, the ED will remain locked down until further notice. MMH has a reunification area for victims’ families in MMH cafeteria.’
Villarreal was holed up in a building in Midland near the Tall City Vet Clinic and All American Collision and Victorian Inn, Ector County Sheriff Mike Griffis said.
‘FBI is on scene and deployed Special Agents and Victim Services personnel to assist the Midland Police Department at the scene of today’s shooting – we will keep the public updated as able,’ FBI director Kash Patel wrote on X.
A reunification center for victims’ families has been set up at Midland Memorial Hospital.
Midland Mayor Lori Blong confirmed the number of victims at a press conference shortly after the incident.
‘Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families, and our officers,’ she said.
Midland Memorial Hospital has opened a reunification center for victims’ families.
The hospital said it received nine of the shooting victims, and as of 1pm ET, three people have been discharged, one person is recovering from surgery, three patients are still in surgery and two others are in stable condition.
One witness told the local media that two bystanders were shot while waiting at a light near Eisenhower and Highway 80, however that has not been confirmed
Midland Mayor Lori Blong confirmed the number of victims at a press conference shortly after the incident
A nearby hospital was placed on lockdown following the reports of gunfire
One witness told KMID two bystanders were shot while waiting at a light near Eisenhower and Highway 80, however that has not been confirmed.
Another witness who was at a nearby motel told CBS News he heard dozens of gunshots.
‘We heard several, several gunshots, like 20 gunshots, and then it moved down – the whole situation moved further down,’ he said.
‘We see the drones, and then we see the Texas Rangers and the undercover cars with lights on. Had to be, seems like, 50 police officers, like a small army.’
Roads in the area have been closed and officials have asked drivers to shelter in place.
The Daily Mail contacted local authorities for more information.
