Midland Texas Shooting: 1 Dead, 10 Injured; Suspect Dead

A man who opened fire on bystanders and passing vehicles in Midland, Texas, on Friday morning killed one person and injured ten others before dying by suicide after a standoff with law enforcement, authorities said. The suspect, 45-year-old Victor Mata Villarreal, was already being sought for attempted capital murder of a peace officer after firing multiple shots at a Midland police officer two days earlier.

The Attack

At approximately 8:03 a.m. CST on June 12, Villarreal began firing at random bystanders and passing vehicles on Texas State Highway Loop 250 in the 4600 block of West Wall Street, a busy commercial corridor lined with hotels and auto businesses. Witnesses reported hearing at least 40 gunshots, according to the Associated Press.

Police and Texas Department of Public Safety officers responded to reports of an active shooter. Upon arrival, Villarreal fired at officers and bystanders before barricading himself inside the abandoned Tall City Veterinary Hospital. Several officers were pinned down behind their patrol cars and had to be rescued by an armored vehicle, Midland Police Chief Greg Snow said. No officers were shot.

“We moved to deny more targets for this active shooter,” Snow said.

Authorities surrounded the building and a standoff ensued. At approximately 12:30 p.m., robot and drone footage confirmed Villarreal was dead inside from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to Mayor Lori Blong.

The Victims

The deceased victim was identified as Edward Randall Scott, 62, a City of Midland employee in solid waste who was also a longtime member of the local softball community. Friends described him as a softball umpire and volleyball official known for his kindness and humor, the Houston Chronicle reported.

Nine injured victims were taken to Midland Memorial Hospital. By the afternoon, five had been discharged, three had left the operating room, and one remained in surgery. Another victim was transported to Odessa Medical Center Hospital.

Prior Incident and Suspect’s History

Two days before the shooting, on June 10, Villarreal fired multiple shots at a Midland police officer during a high-speed chase. The officer, who was not injured, had attempted to pull Villarreal over, but he drove away. His vehicle was found empty a short distance away. A warrant was issued for attempted capital murder of a peace officer. Friday’s standoff occurred approximately half a mile from where the shots were fired at the officer on Wednesday.

Villarreal, a resident of nearby Odessa, had an extensive criminal history spanning more than two decades. According to Texas criminal records, he was convicted in 2009 of unlawfully carrying a firearm in San Angelo. He had been charged in 2003 and 2004 for unlawfully carrying a weapon and unlawful possession of a prohibited weapon, though both cases were dismissed as part of a plea. He also pleaded no contest to a domestic violence charge in 2008 that was later dismissed. He had previous addresses in Virginia.

Law Enforcement and Community Response

The FBI, Texas Rangers, Texas Department of Public Safety, and Midland Police Department are investigating the shooting. FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed in a post on X that the bureau had deployed special agents and victim services personnel to assist Midland police.

Mayor Lori Blong activated Midland’s Community Organizations Active in Disaster (COAD), coordinating disaster vehicles from the West Texas Food Bank and mental health care professionals from PermiaCare to support families at a reunification center established at Midland Memorial Hospital.

Gov. Greg Abbott issued a statement saying, “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.”

That evening, approximately 100 people gathered at Centennial Park for a candlelight vigil honoring the victims.

Broader Context

The shooting occurred near the site of the 2019 Midland-Odessa shootings, in which a gunman killed seven people and wounded two dozen others while firing at random as he drove through both cities. The 2026 attack is the seventh mass shooting in the United States tracked this year and follows an earlier mass shooting in Austin, Texas, on March 1.

Questions Remain

Authorities have not disclosed a motive for the attack or explained why the officer initially attempted to pull Villarreal over on June 10. The investigation remains ongoing, with federal and state agencies working to determine what drove the suspect to carry out the deadly rampage.