Midland Shooting Leaves One Dead, Multiple Injured; Authorities Say Suspect Is Deceased

At least one person was killed and several others were wounded in a mass shooting Friday morning in Midland, Texas, according to city and hospital officials. Authorities later confirmed that the suspected shooter is dead.

Midland Mayor Lori Blong said there were 11 known victims connected to the incident. The city did not immediately release details on how the suspect died, but Blong said the individual was located deceased using a drone as law enforcement continued to secure the area.

Victims and Medical Response

Midland Memorial Hospital confirmed that nine people were treated there following the shooting. Hospital officials said four patients required surgery. Three of those patients are recovering, while one remained in the operating room as of Friday. The remaining five patients were treated and discharged.

“My heart breaks for the victims and their families,” Blong said in a statement. “We are praying for every person touched by today’s events and for the law enforcement officers who risked their own safety to protect our community.”

City officials said they were not aware of any police officers being injured.

Law Enforcement Response

Midland Police Chief Greg Snow said officers responded after hearing gunfire coming from a building in the southwestern part of the city. Police moved quickly to secure the area as additional agencies responded to assist.

Witness Lee Carlisle, who was staying at a Super 8 motel near the scene, told CBS News he heard what sounded like roughly 20 gunshots before the situation shifted farther down the area.

“We see the drones, and then we see the Texas Rangers and the undercover cars with lights on,” Carlisle said, describing a large law enforcement presence.

Hospital Lockdown

A woman who was at Midland Memorial Hospital when victims arrived told CBS News 24/7 that she briefly saw injured individuals before being moved to a safe area. She said the hospital implemented a lockdown because the shooter’s location was not initially confirmed.

The woman, who asked to be identified only as Jane, said the lockdown lasted about an hour and a half and described the hospital response as calm and professional. She said the victims she observed appeared stable.

Jane, who lives near the hospital, said the incident left her shaken and fearful.

“It makes me really scared that there are people walking around with guns who can just kill anyone around you,” she said.

Official Reactions

Texas Governor Greg Abbott and First Lady Cecilia Abbott released a statement expressing sympathy for the victims and the Midland community.

“Our hearts are with the victims, their families, and the entire Midland community,” said Abbott’s press secretary, Andrew Mahaleris.

Authorities said the investigation remains ongoing, and additional information will be released as it becomes available.

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