TX - Gunman in Hijacked Mail Truck, multiple victims, Midland/Odessa, 31 August 2019

[imstilla.grandma]

VIDEO: Odessa woman speaks after locking eyes with the shooting suspect

 

[SandyQLS]

Thank you so much, you are very kind. I was so rattled I had begun calling random hospitals with shaking hands. Should I call Odessa or Midland hospitals first? I was searching the pictures of shot up trucks for his truck.

Thank goodness for Websleuths, it hadn’t crossed my mind to call the police station, der. If I wasn’t under duress it would have been the first thing I would have done.

I still won’t completely be at ease until he calls me, although I am sure he is fine.

Oh dear, and you can't sleep? Your son is almost certainly fine. It's a holiday weekend. Would he go camping or to a river/lake/desert/mountains with a girlfriend or the guys? I was thinking he might be out of cell phone range, that happens in desolate parts of west Texas. I hope he calls you soon.

 

[SandyQLS]

"... The terrifying chain of events began when Texas state troopers tried pulling over a gold car mid-Saturday afternoon on Interstate 20 for failing to signal a left turn, Texas Department of Public Safety spokeswoman Katherine Cesinger said. Before the vehicle came to a complete stop, the driver "pointed a rifle toward the rear window of his car and fired several shots" toward the patrol car stopping him. The gunshots struck one of two troopers inside the patrol car ..."

Above is from Associated Press via KTLA
At Least 21 Victims Shot, 5 Killed in West Texas Shooting; Gunman Dead: Police

*

Also, Daily Mail keeps updating their article. Adorable photos of 17 month old who was injured, her mom & dad, and she has a twin brother who was not injured.

Updated timeline of the whole event.

One injured officer is named as Zack Owens of Midland PD, shot multiple times in the arm and hand, but his most serious injury is glass shards in his eye.

Multiple injuries reported in active shooter incident in Odessa, Texas | Daily Mail Online

 

[Snoods]

Leila Hernandez, a 15-year-old high school student, was killed.


17 month old victim was injured but should recover.


Odessa & Midland Shooting Victims: Photos & Tributes | Heavy.com

 

[MsBetsy]

It’s not just Texas obviously. Google the locations.



No. It’s not just Texas. Not even close.

Yes, if you look at some of the maps and charts there are about 20 states that have had more mass murders than Texas. Imo

 

[margarita25]

Yes, if you look at some of the maps and charts there are about 20 states that have had more mass murders than Texas. Imo

(I’m sure Colorado is up there...moo)

 

[Snoods]

Officer Zack Owens was shot multiple times in his arm and hand. He also has glass shards in his eye. All or any of these injuries could end his career.

Thank you for risking your life for us on the daily.

 

[Snoods]

Oh dear, and you can't sleep? Your son is almost certainly fine. It's a holiday weekend. Would he go camping or to a river/lake/desert/mountains with a girlfriend or the guys? I was thinking he might be out of cell phone range, that happens in desolate parts of west Texas. I hope he calls you soon.

He very well could have gone fishing somewhere, but I’ve never known him to be out of cell phone range. Thank you, don’t you worry too! I’m sure he is fine!

 

[MsBetsy]

View attachment 201450
Leila Hernandez, a 15-year-old high school student, was killed.

View attachment 201451
17 month old victim was injured but should recover.


Odessa & Midland Shooting Victims: Photos & Tributes | Heavy.com

What a beautiful picture. It looks like she had just celebrated her Quinceanera, as she was 15. Such a senseless tragedy.

 

[Snoods]

(I’m sure Colorado is up there...moo)

A Florida man...

(Joke if you haven’t heard it before, practically folk lore.)

 

[Snoods]

What a beautiful picture. It looks like she had just celebrated her Quinceanera, as she was 15. Such a senseless tragedy.

You are correct.

Picture of her makeup being applied for her Quinceanera.

I’m so sorry for her family.

 

[imstilla.grandma]

51 People Died in Mass Shootings in August Alone in the U.S.

Mass Shooting Tracker

 

[Elley Mae]

The Odessa Police Department will be holding a press conference at 12 p.m. Sunday. We will share the press conference live on CBS7, the CBS7 Facebook Page and our Livestream.

Mass shooting leaves five people dead, 21 injured in Odessa. Live continuing coverage begins at 7 a.m.

 

[Elley Mae]

Witness: Midland and Odessa shooter killed postal worker before stealing mail truck

Witness: Midland and Odessa shooter killed postal worker before stealing mail truck

 

[imstilla.grandma]

Mass shooting in Texas leaves at least 6 dead, 24 wounded in Odessa and Midland

 

[imstilla.grandma]

Let me remind our civilian population of the tips we teach in the BCSO Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events (CRASE) classes.

Avoid, Deny, Defend.
Bexar County Sheriff Salazar gives tips in case of active shooter, offers free CRASE class

 

[imstilla.grandma]

Texas gun law changes take effect one day after deadly shooting near Odessa and Midland

 

[oceanblueeyes]

I know many depend on CNN for breaking news coverage, and I respect those decisions.

However, I do not.. because in more instances than not they have had so many facts wrong in just about every story they cover.

While they could be correct on the shooter driving a car when stopped by the Trooper it makes more sense to me in this area he would be driving a pickup truck.

I still believe he could have some type of outstanding warrant he knew the Trooper would find when he ran his record, but we will see. Or he had no insurance or current license when pulled over.

Like I mentioned last night it's common for game hunters, and farm workers to have a gun rack mounted across the back winshield of their trucks with at least one rifle staying in the gun rack.

While the media calls AR15s or .223s assault rifles now, but for over 18 million law abiding gun owners who have AR15s or similiar rifles, the vast majority are never used or intended to harm or assault another human being.

But, sadly they can be used for anyone hellbent on murdering innocent human beings in mass.

I am once again so proud of the courage shown by the courageous police officer that stop this dangerous monster in his tracks. He did what he knew he had to do without blinking an eye. He knew he had to save all others from becoming more victims even though it put his own life in grave danger..which it did.

The shooter may have a military background although not necessary, because civilians who own firearms are also very proficient. Sadly this one was a very bad man with evil intentions. However it was a good man with a gun who stopped any more carnage from happening.

God bless all of the officers both those who were wounded, and all who rushed to stop it. Without them, I dont want to even think of how many more would have been shot.

If he had lived at some point in time the feds would have charged him too since he not only stole a federal mail truck, he also murdered the mail carrier. He would be qualified for the death penalty in that murder alone. I already felt the carrier had been killed by the shooter when he took the mail truck.. so sadly I'm not surprised they are among the dead.

Most of all my prayers, and thoughts remain with all affected including everyone in Odessa, and Midland.

I know you are all strong people who will unite, and give comfort to all involved. This horrible will never define who you all are.

God bless you all!

Jmho

 

[PommyMommy]

Texas Department of Public Safety - West Texas Region
Today at approximately 3:13 p.m. (CST), Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Troopers attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a gold passenger vehicle on Interstate 20 westbound near mile marker 131. Prior to the vehicle coming to a complete stop, the male driver (and only occupant in the vehicle) pointed a rifle toward the rear window of his car and fired several shots toward the DPS patrol unit. The patrol unit was occupied by two Troopers, and one was hit by the gunfire. The suspect fled the scene and continued shooting innocent people, including a Midland police officer and an Odessa police officer.

The Trooper is in serious but stable condition, and the two other officers are in stable condition at a local hospital.

DPS initially provided and will continue to provide resources and support for this incident, including Troopers, Special Agents, Texas Rangers, multiple aircraft and our Major Crime Scene Unit.

This is an ongoing investigation, and no additional information will be released by DPS at this time. For information on victims of this shooting and any other questions, we would refer you to the Odessa Police Department.

 

[SuziQ]

It seems to me that LE is holding off on naming the perp. For a bit anyways. And the reporting has been more focused on the events and not the perp. It feels like the flow of information is slow compared to other mass shootings. I wonder if this is a new tactic to curb copy cat attacks. If true, this is not a bad thing.