1 killed in Texas mass shooting; gunman dead
One person was killed and 10 others injured in a mass shooting in Texas, where the suspect was later found dead following a standoff with law enforcement, authorities said.
The shooting took place in the West Texas oil city of Midland. After receiving emergency calls about the active shooting, officers arrived at the scene, only to be ambushed by the shooter, who unleashed a heavy volley of fire at them, as well as at bystanders and civilian motorists.
Multiple officers were pinned down behind their patrol vehicles and had to be rescued using an armoured vehicle. The suspect subsequently retreated and barricaded himself inside an abandoned veterinary clinic.
The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) officially identified the gunman as 45-year-old Victor Mata Villarreal, a fugitive actively wanted for the attempted capital murder of a peace officer following a separate high-speed shootout with police earlier in the week.
Following the shooting, a multi-agency force implemented lockdowns and shelter-in-place orders for neighbouring commercial properties. Eyewitnesses described a chaotic scene, reporting hearing over 40 gunshots and observing heavily armed tactical units move into position.
After an intense, multi-hour tactical standoff, law enforcement deployed remote drones and tactical robots where the suspect had barricaded himself.
Villarreal was located deceased inside the clinic in the afternoon.
No law enforcement officers were injured during the operation, police said. During an official briefing later in the day, Midland Mayor Lori Blong said that law enforcement deployed specialised robotic units and surveillance drones inside the structure, utilising live internal footage to locate and confirm that the shooter was dead.
Late Friday, the City of Midland officially identified the sole civilian fatality as 62-year-old Edward Randall Scott, a resident of Midland and a long-time municipal employee. Ten other people suffered injuries during the shooting spree. Hospital briefings confirmed that five victims have been discharged, four are stable following surgery, and one remains in critical condition.
Reacting to the shooting, Texas Governor Greg Abbott issued an official statement extending condolences and backing local first responders. “Cecilia and I are deeply saddened by the senseless act of violence in Midland,” Abbott said.
“We are praying for the victims, their families, and the entire community.
I have been briefed on the matter and commend the swift response from the Midland Police Department, Department of Public Safety and all assisting law enforcement agencies.”
According to regional authorities, the immediate active threat had ended; however, the jurisdiction was transitioning into a multi-agency forensic and investigative phase led by the Texas Rangers to determine the suspect’s exact timeline and motive.
