An active shooter has been killed in Midland, Texas, ending a four-hour standoff on June 12 that resulted in the death of one victim and injuries to 11 others, city officials confirmed.
“The active shooter situation is resolved and the shooter is now deceased,” Midland Mayor Lori Blong said in an afternoon press conference, adding that the information was based on robot and drone footage. “Law enforcement is still securing the area.”
Police responded to the report of an active shooter just after 8 a.m. local time to a building on West Wall Street.
“Our thoughts and prayers are absolutely with the victims and with the community,” Blong told reporters at a press conference.
The city asked the public to avoid the area while the scene remained active. Road closures remained in place while law enforcement continued to investigate the scene, according to the city.
City officials did not yet have details about the suspect or the person who died in the shooting, she added.
The day before the active shooting, Midland police and the Texas Rangers were searching for Victor Mata Villarreal, who fled police after firing at officers using a rifle after they stopped his vehicle during a traffic stop.
Villarreal is wanted for attempted capital murder of a peace officer.
A family reunification center was opened at Midland Memorial Hospital where people seeking to reunite with loved ones were encouraged to reach out for help. People seeking information about family members are asked to report in person at the chapel.
The United Way was taking local donations for those who wanted to help victims, Blong said.
Midland, known as an energy and oil boomtown located in the heart of the Permian Basin in West Texas, is home to about 195,000 people, according to the city.
