Mass shooting in Midland kills 2, including shooter, injures 9
A man wanted after police said he fired shots at a Midland officer during a June 10 traffic stop was killed Friday, June 12, after an active shooter situation that left one other person dead and nine others injured.
Police identified Victor Mata Villarreal, 45, as the driver of a vehicle involved in a traffic stop in the 4800 block of Anetta Drive at about 11:23 p.m. June 10. Police said the driver got out of the vehicle and fired a rifle at an officer. The officer returned fire, police said, and Villarreal fled in the vehicle, which was found abandoned a short distance from the scene. Villarreal was being sought on a charge of attempted capital murder of a peace officer.
Shortly after 8 a.m. June 12, police responded to reports of an active shooter near 4600 W. Wall St. Officers heard gunfire and moved quickly into the area. Preliminary information shows that when officers arrived, Villarreal, of Odessa, began firing at officers and bystanders, police said. He then barricaded himself inside an abandoned veterinary clinic building. Armored units were deployed, partner agencies were called in, and multiple roads in the area were closed as authorities established a perimeter around the building. At about 12:30 p.m., city officials said footage from a robot and drone confirmed Villarreal was dead.
The Texas Department of Public Safety confirmed one person other than Villarreal was killed and nine others were injured. No law enforcement officers were among the injured.
"The identity of the suspect, Victor Mata Villarreal, age 45, was the suspect from the (June 10) shooting," Sgt. Steven Blanco said at a news conference at the scene.
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Midland Police Chief Greg Snow said the agencies involved in the investigation included the Texas Rangers and the Texas Department of Public Safety.
"I thank everybody for your concern for all the victims that were involved," Snow said. "Our heart goes out to that. This is not something we want in our community."
Midland Memorial Hospital was under lockdown for a couple of hours amid the shooting. The hospital established a family reunification center and scheduled a June 13 blood drive to replenish blood supplies.
During a news conference at the scene, Snow said there was a disturbance involving weapons and that shots were fired in the area.
"My officers responded and quickly escalated into an active shooter situation, in which I had several officers pinned down behind the patrol vehicles," he said. "As other units arrived, of course, our partnership with all of our Permian Basin law enforcement agencies came out to support us, which includes the Texas DPS, the Texas Rangers, Odessa Police Department, Ector County Sheriff's Department, Midland County Sheriff's Department, the FBI, and the HSI."
Snow added that law enforcement personnel were able to extricate the MPD officers safely.
"We then began moving through Highway 80 to see if there's anybody trapped in their vehicles that we could get out of there," he said. "We moved to deny more targets to this active shooter. Then we secured the perimeter and began making a plan to get everybody safe and to bring a safe resolution to this, as safe as we could."
At the request of Midland police, the Texas Rangers are investigating the shooting. Because the investigation is active, officials said no additional information is being released. The Texas Rangers asked anyone with information related to the incident to come forward.
As of late June 12, five of the injured people had been discharged, three were recovering from surgery and one remained in surgery.
Gov. Greg Abbott posted on X: "Cecilia and I are deeply saddened by the senseless act of violence in Midland. We are praying for the victims, their families, and the entire community. I have been briefed on the matter and commend the swift response from the Midland Police Department, DPS and all assisting law enforcement agencies."
Drivers were asked to take alternate routes around the area as authorities remained on the scene. West Wall Street/Business 20, from Fasken Road near Cavender Subaru to Loop 250 in Midland, was expected to remain closed through the weekend.
"I would ask for some patience for a little bit longer," Snow said regarding the road closures.
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This story was originally published June 12, 2026 at 9:56 PM.