Authorities said the suspect was already wanted in a separate attack on a police officer earlier in the week.
MIDLAND, Texas — A gunman killed one person and wounded 10 others Friday morning in Midland before barricading himself inside an abandoned veterinary clinic, where officers later found him dead after an hourslong standoff. Authorities identified the suspect as Victor Mata Villarreal, 45, of Odessa.
Investigators said Villarreal was already wanted on an attempted capital murder charge involving a Midland police officer when the shooting began. The attack prompted a major law enforcement response across a busy commercial corridor and left residents, workers and officials searching for answers. Authorities had not announced a motive by Friday night and were continuing to review evidence, body camera footage and surveillance recordings.
Police received reports of an active shooter shortly after 8 a.m. near West Wall Street, Industrial Avenue and Eisenhower Street. Midland Police Chief Greg Snow said Villarreal opened fire on officers and civilians in the area before retreating into a vacant veterinary clinic. During the exchange of gunfire, several officers became pinned down behind patrol vehicles and were later removed from danger with assistance from an armored vehicle. Snow said officers focused on limiting additional casualties as the situation unfolded. Nearby businesses quickly shut their doors, while others instructed employees to shelter in place. Witnesses reported hearing repeated bursts of gunfire as emergency vehicles flooded the area. The incident unfolded along a heavily traveled section of Midland lined with hotels, automotive businesses and industrial operations, drawing attention from residents across the city as authorities worked to secure the scene.
City officials later identified the person killed as Ed Scott, a Midland employee who worked in the solid waste department. Friends and colleagues described him as a husband, father and longtime figure in local sports communities, where he served as a softball umpire and volleyball official. Officials said 10 other people were wounded, though their names, ages and exact conditions had not been released by Friday evening. Midland Memorial Hospital reported that four victims underwent surgery after arriving at the facility, while five others received treatment and were released. Additional victims were transported to hospitals elsewhere in Midland and neighboring Odessa. A family reunification center was established at the hospital to help relatives locate loved ones and receive updates. Authorities declined to specify how each victim was injured or whether all wounds resulted directly from gunfire. Investigators also said they were still determining the sequence of events that led to each injury.
The shooting occurred in a region with painful memories of previous mass violence. Midland and neighboring Odessa were the sites of a deadly 2019 shooting rampage that left seven people dead and dozens wounded after a gunman drove through the area firing at victims. Friday’s attack renewed concerns among residents who remembered that earlier tragedy. Midland, a city of roughly 140,000 people in the heart of Texas oil country, serves as a major commercial hub in West Texas. The area where the shooting occurred contains warehouses, repair shops, offices and service businesses that employ hundreds of workers each day. Witnesses described confusion as sirens echoed across the district and law enforcement agencies converged from multiple jurisdictions. Andrea Mendias, who works near the abandoned clinic, said she heard what sounded like at least 40 gunshots before seeing heavily armed officers move into the area. Officials urged people to avoid the scene while emergency personnel conducted tactical operations.
The standoff ended around midday after officers surrounded the clinic and deployed technology to search the building. Midland Mayor Lori Blong said robot and drone footage helped authorities determine that Villarreal was dead inside. Police did not immediately explain how he died. The FBI, Texas Department of Public Safety and multiple local agencies joined the investigation. Gov. Greg Abbott said he had been briefed on the incident and praised the response of law enforcement personnel. Investigators revealed that Villarreal had allegedly fired multiple shots at a Midland police officer during a vehicle pursuit on Wednesday, two days before the mass shooting. The officer was not injured and returned fire. Authorities later located Villarreal’s abandoned vehicle but were unable to immediately apprehend him. State officials said Villarreal was wanted on a charge of attempted capital murder of a peace officer when Friday’s violence began. Investigators have not disclosed why the original traffic stop was initiated.
Records reviewed by authorities showed Villarreal had previous encounters with the criminal justice system. Court records indicated he was convicted in 2009 on a charge involving unlawfully carrying a firearm. Earlier weapons-related cases from 2003 and 2004 appeared to have been dismissed through plea agreements, while a domestic violence case from 2008 concluded with a no contest plea and a later dismissal. Officials stressed that investigators had not established any direct connection between those earlier cases and the Friday attack. Attempts to contact some relatives listed in public records were unsuccessful. As darkness fell Friday, crime scene investigators continued documenting evidence, interviewing witnesses and examining the suspect’s background. The investigation remained active, with officials seeking to establish a complete timeline of events and determine whether additional factors contributed to the attack.
The case remains under investigation. Authorities are expected to provide additional updates after reviewing video evidence, identifying all injured victims and completing examinations related to Villarreal’s death. Officials said further briefings are likely in the coming days as investigators continue their work.
Author note: Last updated June 13, 2026.