At least one person has been killed and eleven others injured after a gunman opened fire in Midland, Texas, sparking an ongoing standoff with police who say the suspect is now barricaded inside a building and contained.
Midland Mayor Lori Blong confirmed the fatality and the scale of the injuries at a news conference on Friday. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families, and our officers,” she said, according to KMID. Officials said the gunman has since been contained by officers, with a SWAT team called to the scene.
Midland Police responded to the active shooter incident on Friday morning in the 4600 block of West Wall Street, near its intersection with Industrial Avenue. Police Chief Greg Snow said in a statement: “Officers heard gunfire coming from the building and worked quickly to secure and clear the area. Armored units were deployed, and partner agencies assisted in the response. Efforts to bring the standoff with the shooter to a safe resolution are ongoing.”
According to Ector County Sheriff Mike Griffis, the suspect is barricaded in a building near the Tall City Vet Clinic, All American Collision and the Victorian Inn. The City of Midland urged residents to avoid the wider area around Eisenhower Drive, West Wall Street and Midkiff Road as multiple law enforcement agencies worked to resolve the situation, writing on social media: “Our priority is the safety of our residents and first responders.”
Midland Memorial Hospital went into lockdown at 8.20am due to the incident. By 10.10am, the hospital confirmed the lockdown had been lifted for its main campus, though its emergency department remained locked down until further notice. The hospital has opened a reunification centre for victims’ families in its cafeteria.
This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
