Gerke said during the news conference on Saturday that the killer was a white man in his mid-30s. The name and motive of the suspect remain unknown. According to Gerke, the gunman opened fire from his vehicle and then hijacked a mail truck while continuing to gun down bystanders.
"Once this individual was taken out of the picture, there have been no more victims", Gerke told the news conference.
Earlier on Saturday, the mayor of the city of Midland, Jerry Morales, said that the gun shooting spree occurred shortly after 4 p.m. local time, with two or possibly three shooters targeting motorists on Interstate 20 and Highway 191, which connects the city of Midland to the city Odessa.
“They are shooting at random [...] We have two fatalities and up to 20 injuries”, Morales said, cited by The New York Times.
Morales said earlier that one of the shooters had been wounded and apprehended. “One suspect is in custody. I’m not sure if he is alive”, Morales said, cited by The New York Times.
Netizens shared alleged footage of the scene where a purported suspect was shot down.
#Update: just in - Another video angle and close-up shot from a civilian, of a drive by from the crime scene at where the shooter was shot down in #Midland by police officers. #Texas #US pic.twitter.com/NrCA5fTxgX
— Sotiri Dimpinoudis (@sotiridi) 31 August 2019
According to the Midland Police Department, "It has been confirmed that the active shooter was shot and killed at the Cinergy in Odessa. There is no active shooter at this time. All agencies are investigating reports of possible suspects".
At least three police officers are among the wounded, CBS said earlier. Police confirmed later on Saturday that three law enforcement officers were injured.
BREAKING: Large police presence after reports of an active shooter in Odessa, Texas. pic.twitter.com/b5LfVBqV8N
— Breaking News Global (@BreakingNAlerts) August 31, 2019
Media reported earlier in the day, citing authorities, that at least 30 people were injured in connection with a mass shooting in the Texas cities of Odessa and Midland.
Following the first reports of an active shooter in the area, Midland and Odessa police issued statements urging local residents to avoid I-20 in Odessa, Midland and Big Spring, as authorities searched for 2 suspects who shot several people, including an officer.
One suspect was reportedly escaping a crime scene in a gold-colored vehicle and was armed with an unidentified rifle, CBS said earlier in the day.
BREAKING: 30 people have been shot between Odessa & Midland Texas, police tell CBS News.
— David Begnaud (@DavidBegnaud) 31 August 2019
There are 2 suspect on the loose in 2 separate vehicles.
As of 5:05p EST today, per police:
10 victims shot in Midland
20 victims shot in Odessa
See below. pic.twitter.com/2Y4L5rggfo
A spokesman for the Odessa Police Department, Cpl. Steve LeSueur, urged residents to stay indoors while the search for shooters was active, local media reported earlier.
The campus of the University of Texas of the Permian Basin (UTPB) was reportedly shut down as well.
US President Donald Trump was told of the shooting in Texas and the White House has been monitoring the situation.
.@realDonaldTrump just received a briefing on Hurricane Dorian from @fema officials. It is important that people in FL, GA, NC & SC remain vigilant & take direction from law enforcement & local officials. The @POTUS will continue to be briefed throughout the weekend.
— Stephanie Grisham (@PressSec) August 31, 2019
Trump confirmed that he had been told about the shootings by US Attorney General William Barr.
Just briefed by Attorney General Barr about the shootings in Texas. FBI and Law Enforcement is fully engaged. More to follow.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 31, 2019
Texas Governor Gregg Abbott has issued a statement regarding the gun massacre.
Statement on shooting in Odessa, Texas: pic.twitter.com/3QV5LriVzi
— Gov. Greg Abbott (@GovAbbott) August 31, 2019
Earlier this month, the gunman - identified as Patrick Crusius - killed 22 and wounded over 20 when he opened fire with a military-grade assault rifle in a Walmart in a shopping center in El Paso, Texas.
