Police Rush to Scene of Shooting in Odessa, Texas

A shooter killed at least five people and injured at least 20 more after driving around and “shooting at random people” in both Odessa and Midland, Texas, on August 31, police said.

Police alleged that Seth Aaron Ator, 36, was stopped by an officer while travelling on the I-20 highway between Midland and Odessa, a statement said. The driver opened fire on the officer before he fled westbound along the highway and shot a civilian near east Loop 338, police said.

He proceeded on a shooting spree throughout Odessa and stole a mail carrier truck. The suspect continued shooting at innocent civilians all over Odessa before making his way to Cinergy on Highway 191 where he shot an Odessa police officer and a Midland officer. Police returned fire and killed the suspect.

At one point, police thought there were two shooters in two separate vehicles. But police said the confusion was caused by the shooter using two separate vehicles.

“The issue with that was, you had the original vehicle and you had the mail truck. At one point we didn’t know that was the same person, but that is confirmed now. Same person,” police said at a press conference. Credit: Fernando Hernandez via Storyful