Shooting draws attention back to 2019 Midland-Odessa rampage

Two people are dead, including one person and the suspect, after a mass shooting Friday in Midland, Texas, in the 4600 block of West Wall Street near Industrial Avenue.

Nine people were taken to Midland Memorial Hospital, where officials said three had been discharged and four were taken to operating rooms. Three remained in surgery and one was in recovery. Two others were in stable condition and remained in the emergency department.

Officials identified the suspect as Victor Mata Villarreal. A motive had not been released Friday, but Midland city officials have been giving regular updates on the city's social media accounts. A family reunification center was being set up at Midland Memorial Hospital for victims' family members. Midland Mayor Lori Blong asked residents to pray for the people affected by the shooting.

Villarreal, 45, had an encounter with police on June 10, according to the Midland Police Department.

"Midland Police Department is requesting assistance in locating a suspect wanted on a charge of attempted capital murder of a peace officer. According to MPD, about 11:23 p.m. Wednesday, (June 10), officers attempted a traffic stop on a vehicle in the 4800 block of Anetta. MPD said the vehicle fled for several blocks before stopping in the 4700 block of Comanche."

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott released a statement Friday afternoon 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."

The FBI was on scene Friday assisting with the investigation.

"FBI is on scene and deployed Special Agents and Victim Services personnel to assist the Midland Police Department at the scene of today's shooting - we will keep the public updated as able," FBI Director Kash Patel posted on X.

The June 12 shooting recalled another mass shooting in the Midland-Odessa area. On Aug. 31, 2019, Seth Aaron Ator, 36, went on a shooting spree between Midland and nearby Odessa, killing and injuring multiple people, including police officers.

The FBI also became involved in the 2019 shooting after Ator called the agency about 15 minutes before the attack.

Ator killed seven people and wounded three officers. About 24 people were shot and wounded, not counting people injured by debris, as he made his way along Interstate 20 between the two cities.

"It began that morning with a dispute at work," Odessa Police Department Chief Michael Gerke said in the days after the bi-city shooting. Gerke said both Ator and his employer - Journey Oilfield - called the police department to discuss their concerns. After the dispute between Ator and his employer, Ator was fired.

Ator's shooting spree started at 3:13 p.m. following a traffic stop on Interstate 20 between Midland and Odessa. He opened fire on a state trooper and fled. He traveled into Odessa, killed a U.S. Postal Service worker and carjacked her mail van.

Ator was eventually pronounced dead at 4:17 p.m. behind the Cinergy Entertainment Center.

The Bright Star Memorial at the University of Texas Permian Basin in Odessa was erected to honor those killed in the 2019 mass shooting.

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This story was originally published June 12, 2026 at 9:56 PM.