According to the authorities, as a gunman drove on the highways and streets opening fire on the residents, motorists, and shoppers due to which at least five people were killed and 21 others were injured in a brazen daylight drive-by mass shooting in the West Texas cities of Midland and Odessa on Saturday.
21 Injured in Mass Shooting Near Odessa
However, later the gunman, a man in his mid-30s, was shot and killed by police in a gun battle in a movie theatre parking lot, on the outskirts of Odessa.
At a news conference on Saturday, the chief of the Odessa Police Department, Michael Gerke, said, “The attack had begun after a traffic stop. The gunman fled the police and hijacked a postal truck, firing at civilians as he made his way into Odessa. During the confusing moments of the pursuit, authorities thought there might be two shooters firing from two vehicles. The shooter drove toward the Cinergy movie theater, where he and police officers exchanged gunfire in the parking lot and the man was killed.”
Three law enforcement officers and a toddler were included among the injured. The police said the gunman’s motive was not immediately clear.
This is the second mass shooting in Texas only in August. Four weeks ago, a gunman had killed 22 people in a mass shooting in El Paso, about 285 miles west of Odessa.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott released a statement Saturday, saying:
“The First Lady and I are heartbroken over this senseless and cowardly attack, and we offer our unwavering support to the victims, their families, and all the people of Midland and Odessa. 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.”
On Saturday, Cinergy Entertainment Group, which operates five entertainment centers in Texas and Oklahoma, said in a statement, “It is grateful for the swift response from local authorities and first responders throughout the Midland/Odessa community.”
