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The city of Midland has confirmed that two people are dead, including the suspected shooter, after a Friday morning shooting left 10 others wounded on the city’s south side.
The shooting began around 8 a.m., and residents received a stay-in-place notification as police surrounded the barricaded suspect. The city confirmed that the suspected shooter was dead around 11:30 a.m. A motive of the shooter has not been confirmed.
Mayor Lori Blong said in a Friday news conference that officials had no further details on the suspect or on the dead victim.
Blong said the suspected shooter had been in a standoff with police for several hours. The mayor said drones and a robot confirmed the shooter was dead but did not say how the suspect had been killed. Hotels and a convention center are near where the shooting happened, along with Beal Park.
Midland Memorial Hospital said four people underwent surgery and three others had been treated and released, according to The Associated Press. Two others were in stable condition, the hospital said.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families, and everyone impacted by this tragic incident,” said Mayor Pro-tem Amy Stretcher Burkes. “We’re also praying for law enforcement officers, first responders, and the surgical teams working tirelessly to protect lives and provide care during this difficult time.”
Midland and nearby Odessa was the scene of a 2019 shooting rampage when a lone gunman killed seven civilians and injured 25, including three law enforcement officers, from his vehicle before he was shot to death. An 11-foot-tall monument was erected five years later to commemorate the victims and survivors.
Gov. Greg Abbott shared condolences for the city and urged the community to cooperate with local police.
“The Governor commends the swift and professional response of the Midland Police Department, the Texas Department of Public Safety, Texas Rangers, and all assisting law enforcement agencies working to protect the public,” his office said in a statement. “Texas stands ready to provide any additional state resources or support.”
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick echoed the sentiment in a post on X.
“Texans are heartbroken over the news of a shooting in Midland. Please join Jan and me in prayer for the victims, their families, and the city of Midland,” he wrote. “Please also pray for our brave first responders who put themselves in harm’s way to keep the Midland community safe.”