The FBI is investigating after one person was killed, and 10 others were wounded in a shooting, Friday, in Midland, Texas.
The deceased suspect, identified as Victor Mata Villarreal, 45, allegedly opened fire at officers and bystanders before barricading himself in an abandoned veterinary clinic in downtown Midland, according to Texas Department of Public Safety Sgt. Steven Blanco.
Midland Mayor Lori Blong said during a news conference that police used robot and drone footage to confirm the shooter was dead inside the building. It is unclear how he died.
Of the 11 victims, Midland Memorial Hospital said it received nine victims from the shooting, with four sent to the operating room.
As of 2:30 p.m. local time, five victims were discharged, three are out of the operating room and one remains in surgery.
The incident started in southeast Midland and progressed across south Midland, before police were first dispatched at 8:03 a.m. local time for a disturbance involving weapons and shots fired, according to Midland Police Chief Greg Snow.
A large multi-agency response was initiated, bringing in partners from the FBI, HSI, Texas Department of Public Safety, Texas Rangers, Odessa Police Department, and Ector and Midland County sheriff’s offices.
Using armored vehicles, Snow said the agencies were able to safely extricate officers who were pinned down behind their patrol cars.
Police then moved down Highway 80 to rescue civilians trapped in their cars, deny the shooter additional targets and secure the perimeter.
Snow confirmed that during the shooting, several officers exchanged gunfire, which will be investigated by the Texas Rangers and DPS.
FBI El Paso deployed special agents and victim services personnel to the scene to assist.
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The hospital’s main campus was on lockdown for nearly two hours due to the shooting.
Andrea Mendias told The Associated Press she heard what sounded like a small explosion at the closed veterinary clinic next to the body shop where she works, and saw multiple heavily armed police officers rush into the parking lot.
Some appeared to enter the building.
Mendias said she had previously heard what sounded like at least 40 gunshots.
Video Mendias recorded showed officers pouring out of the back of an armored police vehicle and police deploying robots into the area.
“Cecilia and I are deeply saddened by the senseless act of violence in Midland,” Texas Gov. Greg Abbott wrote in a social media post. “We are praying for the victims, their families, and the entire community.”
Blanco confirmed Mata Villarreal was the suspect who allegedly shot at police earlier in the week.
“Yes, the identity of the suspect, Victor Mata Villarreal, age 45, is a suspect from the previous day’s shooting,” Blanco said.
Mata Villarreal was wanted for attempted capital murder of a peace officer after firing multiple times at a Midland police officer on Wednesday, about a half-mile from Friday’s shooting location.
The Midland officer, who was uninjured, reportedly tried to pull over Mata Villarreal, who drove away before fleeing on foot.
Mata Villarreal was convicted in 2009 of unlawfully carrying a gun in San Angelo, according to the AP. He was also arrested multiple times, including in 2003 and 2004 for unlawfully carrying a weapon and unlawful possession of a prohibited weapon.
Additional charges appear to have been dismissed as part of plea agreements.
Midland is located near Odessa, and is roughly 330 miles west of Dallas, and about 300 miles east of El Paso.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
