At Least 5 Killed, 21 Injured In West Texas Shooting

At least five people were killed and 21 others injured in a mass shooting near the cities of Odessa and Midland — about 20 miles apart in West Texas.

A Midland police officer, an Odessa police officer and a Texas Department of Public Safety trooper were also wounded. The trooper is in serious but stable condition, and the two other officers are in stable condition at a local hospital, DPS said.

The incident started around 3:17 p.m. when two troopers pulled over a vehicle on Interstate 20. DPS says the driver shot one of the troopers with a rifle.

Odessa Police Chief Michael Gerke said multiple people were then shot in multiple locations on 42nd Street in Odessa.

The suspect ditched his car and hijacked a U.S. Postal Service vehicle and was firing at people, the police chief said. The shooting spree ended when the suspect was shot and killed near the Cinergy movie theater in Odessa following an exchange of gunfire with officers.

There were initial reports of a second shooter, but there has been no confirmation of one, Chief Gerke said.

The shooting suspect was described by police as a white male in his 30s. The man's motive is unknown at this time.

Odessa-based Medical Center Health System CEO Russell Tippin said 13 people admitted to the hospital have been released. He said seven people are in critical condition and two people are in serious condition. "This is a scary incident and nobody is guaranteed tomorrow," Tippin said, urging people to pray for the community.

The hospital remains on lockdown for the safety of its staff, Tippin said. Grief counselors and social workers are being made available to families.

The ATF and FBI are deploying teams to the area. Attorney General William Barr says he is monitoring the situation. President Donald Trump said in a tweet he was briefed by the attorney general.

Gov. Greg Abbott said he and the first lady offered their “unwavering support” to the victims and their families.

“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,” he said in a statement. His office said he would be traveling to Odessa on Sunday.

This story has been updated.