A 15-year-old student is among the five victims of a shooting spree that erupted between Midland and at a Cinergy movie theater in Odessa, Texas, on Aug. 31, a local school district confirmed late Aug. 31.
The Odessa Police Department said in a press release late Aug. 31 that at least five people had died in the attack with 21 others sustaining injuries. An active investigation is underway.
Vice President Mike Pence told reporters following the shooting that President Donald Trump was “closely monitoring the developments in the investigation in the mass shooting in Odessa.”
The suspect reportedly then hijacked a U.S. Postal Service vehicle after ditching his car, before he began shooting at random and injuring multiple people.
He then made his way to a Cinergy movie theater in Odessa were he was located by police officers and shot dead, Midland Police Department said.
Cell phone video showed people running out of a movie theater, and as Odessa television station KOSA aired breaking developments on live TV, their broadcast was interrupted by police telling them they had to clear the area.
A 17-month-old girl was also among the injured and was transported to University Medical Center in Lubbock to receive treatment. The center’s spokesman Eric Finley told CNN that the toddler was in a satisfactory condition.
By 6.30 p.m., an additional 14 victims were brought to the facility for treatment.
Three police officers were also among those injured by gunfire, the police chief added.
The police department previously said they believed there were two shooters in two separate vehicles: a gold or white colored Toyota truck and a USPS van. Police advised people to stay away from TX-Loop 250. Gerke later said there was a single suspect.
“Once this individual was taken out of the picture, there have been no more victims,” Gerke said.
“Something that I want to point out is that this is not your typical active shooter, it was more of a … mobile active shooter which made things increasingly more difficult for our law enforcement,” a spokesperson from the Odessa Police Department told Fox News.
At a press conference on Aug. 31, officials confirmed that 13 people injured in the shooting spree were being treated at the Medical Center Hospital in Odessa—seven of which were said to be in critical condition. Two were described as in a serious condition.
Russell Tippin, the center’s CEO, said a child under 2 years old was also transported to another hospital.
At the time of the announcement, one victim had succumbed to their injuries, confirmed Medical Center Hospital, which remained under lockdown until around 10 p.m.
In a statement following the shooting, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton described the attack as “evil” and “senseless.”
“I am horrified to see such a senseless act terrorize the fine people of the Permian Basin. Thank you to the courageous local and state first responders who worked quickly today to stop this evil attack,” he said.
“I have asked my law enforcement division and my crime victims services team to assist in any way necessary. Please join Angela and me as we pray for comfort for those who have been impacted by this violent act.”
Pence added that Trump and his administration “remain absolutely determined” to work with leaders of both parties in Congress to take such steps “so we can address and confront this scourge of mass atrocities in our country.”
“Our hearts go out to all the victims’ families who had loved ones lose their lives.
“We commend the law enforcement in Odessa for their swift and courageous response, but at the president’s direction, we deployed the full resources of the federal government, they’re on site,” he said.
President Donald Trump tweeted that he had been briefed on the Texas shootings by Attorney General Barr and added that the “FBI and Law Enforcement is fully engaged.”
“The prayers of the nation are with the friends and families of the victims and the entire Midland and Odessa communities, and our deepest gratitude goes out to the first responders, who are bringing help and healing during this tragic time,” she added.
Republican Governor Greg Abbott said he will be traveling to Odessa on Sunday morning.
