Police Identify Texas Shooter Who Killed 7 People and Injured 22

Andrea Morris
09-01-2019

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Police are still investigating what provoked a man to go on a shooting spree in Odessa, TX Saturday afternoon.

The shooter was identified in a Facebook post by the Odessa Police Department, as 36-year-old Seth Aaron Ator of Odessa.

The Associated Press reports the death toll to be seven people along with 22 others injured. Those killed ranged in age from 15 to 57, Odessa Police Chief Michael Gerke said at a news conference. The gunman used an “AR-style weapon,” he said.

Police say a law enforcement officer attempted to make a traffic stop around 3:30 p.m. on I-20 between Midland and Odessa.

The suspect shot at the officer and a civilian nearby then fled the scene. 

After stealing a mail carrier truck in Odessa, the shooter continued firing at innocent people until police finally shot and killed him. 

The Washington Post reports the shooter lost his job on the day of the attack but, police are not saying that was the cause of the incident.

Police have not released the names of the victims yet.

Multiple victims were taken to a local hospital for treatment. A baby under the age of two was transferred to another facility. 

The shooting comes less than a month after a gunman in El Paso killed 22 people at a Walmart shopping center. 

Democratic presidential candidate Beto O'Rourke tweeted, Our hearts are with Midland, Odessa, and everyone in West Texas who has to endure this again. More information is forthcoming, but here's what we know: We need to end this epidemic.

Another Democratic presidential candidate, Joe Biden expressed his sadness toward the senseless shooting.

I’m heartbroken, sickened, & angry. Weeks after the horror in El Paso, another community in Texas has been terrorized by gun violence. Enough. We must end this epidemic.

President Trump tweeted, Great job by Texas Law Enforcement and First Responders in handling the terrible shooting tragedy yesterday. A very tough and sad situation!

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About The Author

Andrea Morris
Andrea
Morris

Andrea Morris is a Features Producer for The 700 Club. She came to CBN in 2019 where she worked as a web producer in the news department for three years. Her passion was always to tell human interest stories that would touch the hearts of readers while connecting them with God. She transitioned into her new role with The 700 Club in August 2022.
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