Odessa and Midland, Texas, shootings: what we know

At least 21 people were shot in West Texas in the towns of Odessa and Midland, about 300 miles east of El Paso. At least 25 were injured, and at least seven people were killed.

The shooting began during a traffic stop Saturday afternoon. The suspect shot the officer who stopped him, before driving off, continuing to fire seemingly at random. Officers pursued the suspect, who eventually abandoned his car and stole a US Post Office vehicle. Law enforcement officials caught up to the suspect at a movie theater, and immobilized his vehicle by orchestrating a crash. After an exchange of gunfire, police killed him.

What we know

• At least 21 people were shot, according to Odessa Police Chief Michael Gerke. At least 25 were injured overall.
• At least seven people were killed. Gerke said Sunday the victims ranged in age from 15 to 57.
• Gerke said the rifle used in the attack was an “AR-type weapon.”
• The Associate Press reports the suspect was 36-year-old Seth Ator. Police say the suspect had an address in Ector County, of which Odessa is the seat and largest city.
• Monday, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott tweeted that the suspect had failed gun background checks in the past, and that he had not undergone a background check when acquiring the weapon used in the weekend’s shooting. According to CNN, the suspect bought the rifle used in the attack from a private seller — such transactions do not require background checks.
• The FBI agent in charge of the shooting investigation, Christopher Combs, said the suspect was terminated from his job hours before the shooting began, but stressed the shooting “did not happen because he was fired.” Combs added, “When he showed up to work, he was already enraged.”
• The suspect also called 911 shortly after he was let go, to express grievances about his firing. He also called the FBI’s tip line, and during the shooting called 911 twice, telling the operator “he’s the guy doing it,” Gerke said.
• Medical Center Health System CEO Russell Tippin told the PBS Newshour Tuesday evening that of the victims his hospital treated, nine are still undergoing treatment: one remains in critical condition, one is in serious condition, and seven are in fair condition. The rest — except for one, who succumbed to their wounds Saturday — have been discharged.
• Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said Sunday that the youngest of the wounded is a 17-month-old girl who was shot. He said she is expected to recover following more surgeries.
• As police pursued the suspect, one state trooper was shot on the interstate. Two other officers were also shot, one from Odessa, and one from Midland. All three law enforcement officers are expected to fully recover from their wounds.
• Immediately following the shooting, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott released a statement calling the incident a “senseless and cowardly attack” and promising “that we will not allow the Lone Star State to be overrun by hatred and violence.”
• Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) released a similar statement, writing, “We Texans are standing together tonight united against all forms of hatred and violence.”
• Democratic presidential candidates have also responded, including those with Texas connections. Former San Antonio, Texas mayor Julián Castro asked on MSNBC, “How many of these incidents do we have to see before we understand that we have to take action?” And former Texas Rep. Beto O’Rourke said at a campaign stop in Virginia that while much remains unknown about this shooting, “We do know this is fucked up. We do know this has to stop in this country.”

What we don’t know

• The total number of people killed.