Texas shooting: Suspect dead after killing one and injuring ten in Midland

A gunman wanted for the attempted capital murder of a police officer opened fire on West Wall Street in Midland, Texas, on Friday morning, killing one person and injuring ten others before barricading himself inside an abandoned veterinary clinic. The suspect, Victor Mata Villarreal, 45, was later found dead inside the building at around 12:30pm, the Texas Department of Public Safety confirmed. No law enforcement officers were injured during the incident.

The shooting

The attack began at approximately 8am, when Villarreal allegedly fired at both police officers and bystanders in the street, according to a news release from the Texas Department of Public Safety. A video posted on Facebook captured the sound of multiple gunshots emanating from a building in the area. Midland Police Chief Greg Snow said the situation rapidly escalated into an active shooter scenario, with officers forced to take cover.

"We then began moving through Highway 80 to see if there's anybody trapped in their vehicles that we could get out of there. We moved to deny more targets to this active shooter, and then we secured the perimeter and began making a plan to get everybody safe," Snow said. Armoured vehicles were deployed to allow officers to reach safety.

Victims and hospital response

Nine of the injured were transported to Midland Memorial Hospital, a hospital spokesperson confirmed. Four required surgery, two remained stable in the emergency department, and three were discharged. A tenth victim was taken to Odessa Medical Center Hospital. A city spokesperson could not confirm whether all of the victims had been shot.

Eyewitness account

Jeremy Beard, 39, a former US Army infantryman and airplane mechanic who lives in Midland, was driving to work on Friday morning when he first sensed something was wrong. Beard said he felt the percussive vibrations of gunfire through the music he was playing in his SUV, prompting him to turn down the volume. He noticed the driver of a nearby pickup had opened his door and was doubled over, clutching his stomach.

"It felt just like an ambush," he said. Beard said he accelerated away from the scene and could still hear gunshots as he drove off, though his vehicle was not struck. He later expressed regret that he had not been close enough to help the stricken driver into his car. "It's very sad," Beard said. "I don't know what to make of any of it anymore."

Suspect's prior record

Villarreal had been charged with attempted capital murder just two days before Friday's attack, following an incident on Wednesday in which he allegedly fired at a Midland police officer during a vehicle pursuit. Officials said he was already a wanted man when he opened fire on West Wall Street.

Official response

Midland Mayor Lori Blong addressed reporters at a news conference on Friday, saying officials had no confirmed details on the victims at that stage. "Our thoughts and prayers are absolutely with the victims, and with their families," she said.