Leila Hernandez, 15, has been named among the at least seven people killed and 19 injured when a gunman hijacked a postal truck and began firing indiscriminately in the neighboring cities of Midland and Odessa, Texas

Leila Hernandez, 15, has been named among the at least seven people killed and 19 injured when a gunman hijacked a postal truck and began firing indiscriminately in the neighboring cities of Midland and Odessa, Texas

The death toll in the mass shooting in West Texas has risen to seven after a gunman fleeing a traffic stop opened fire on state troopers, hijacked a postal truck and began shooting indiscriminately at people in the neighboring cities of Odessa and Midland.  

Odessa police spokesman Steve LeSueur announced on Sunday that two additional victims had died in the hospital and at least one of the 19 others injured remains in ‘life-threatening’ condition. 

Authorities have not identified any of the victims, but several have been named publicly by family members. 

Among those killed was 15-year-old high school student Leila Hernandez, whose loved ones described her as a ‘sweet girl with a big heart’ who recently celebrated her quinceañera. 

Leila’s brother Nathan was also injured in the rampage and underwent surgery, according to a GoFundMe that has raised over $8,400 for the Hernandez family as of Sunday morning. 

US Postal Service worker Mary Granados was shot and killed when the gunman stole her truck as she was delivering mail, according to a coworker.  

Seventeen-month-old Anderson Davis is in the hospital in stable condition after she was struck in the face and chest by shrapnel, according to her mother. 

Three members of law enforcement were wounded in the shooting, including Midland Police Officer Zack Owens. He was shot multiple times in the arm and hand and suffered glass shards in his eye, according to a GoFundMe campaign launched by his family. 

The gunman, believed to be a white male in his 30s, was shot and killed by police in the parking lot of the Cinergy movie theater in Odessa on Saturday afternoon. 

Police have not released the suspects name or a possible motive for the shooting. 

 

Postal worker Mary Granados (pictured) was shot and killed when the gunman hijacked her truck, according to a coworker

Postal worker Mary Granados (pictured) was shot and killed when the gunman hijacked her truck, according to a coworker

Three police officers were wounded in the shooting, including Zack Owens (pictured). The Midland police officer was shot multiple times in the arm and hand and suffered glass shards in his eye, according to a GoFundMe launched by his family

Three police officers were wounded in the shooting, including Zack Owens (pictured). The Midland police officer was shot multiple times in the arm and hand and suffered glass shards in his eye, according to a GoFundMe launched by his family

Postal worker Mary Granados (left) was shot and killed when the gunman hijacked her truck, according to a coworker. Three police officers were wounded in the shooting, including Zack Owens (right). The Midland police officer was shot multiple times in the arm and hand and suffered glass shards in his eye, according to a GoFundMe launched by his family

Seventeen-month-old Anderson Davis is also in the hospital, having been struck in the face and chest by shrapnel

Seventeen-month-old Anderson Davis is also in the hospital, having been struck in the face and chest by shrapnel

Seventeen-month-old Anderson Davis is also in the hospital, having been struck in the face and chest by shrapnel

Authorities have yet to officially confirm the identities of the victims or the gunman, believed to be a white male in his 30s, who was shot and killed by police in the parking lot of the Cinergy movie theater in Odessa on Saturday afternoon. Police cars and tape block off the crime scene Saturday night (above)

Authorities have yet to officially confirm the identities of the victims or the gunman, believed to be a white male in his 30s, who was shot and killed by police in the parking lot of the Cinergy movie theater in Odessa on Saturday afternoon. Police cars and tape block off the crime scene Saturday night (above)

Authorities have yet to officially confirm the identities of the victims or the gunman, believed to be a white male in his 30s, who was shot and killed by police in the parking lot of the Cinergy movie theater in Odessa on Saturday afternoon. Police cars and tape block off the crime scene Saturday night (above)

Frightening footage appears to show a family trying to hide from gunfire during the deadly rampage.  

The 50-second video shared on Facebook by Antonio Orozco Garcia is captioned: ‘Dios mio por favor protegenos’ – which translates to: ‘My God, please protect us.’ 

A couple women can be seen trying to cover young children on the ground as a man yells: ‘Get down! Get down! I got you, I got you.’

The children scream in terror as the shots ring out and the man tries to calm them down.  

‘Who’s shooting, Dad?’ a child asks.  

‘It’s okay, it’s okay. You’re going to be okay,’ the man says before shouting to people in the vicinity to ask how they’re doing.  

The video ends abruptly before anyone appears to have been injured, but the group’s fate remains unclear. 

Frightening footage appears to show a family trying to hide from gunfire during the deadly rampage

Frightening footage appears to show a family trying to hide from gunfire during the deadly rampage

The 50-second video shared on Facebook by Antonio Orozco Garcia is captioned: 'Dios mio por favor protegenos' - which translates to: 'My God, please protect us'

The 50-second video shared on Facebook by Antonio Orozco Garcia is captioned: 'Dios mio por favor protegenos' - which translates to: 'My God, please protect us'

Frightening footage appears to show a family trying to hide from gunfire during the deadly rampage. The 50-second video shared on Facebook by Antonio Orozco Garcia is captioned: ‘Dios mio por favor protegenos’ – which translates to: ‘My God, please protect us’

The incident began at about 3.15pm CST on Saturday after Texas Department of Public Safety officers attempted to stop a man who failed to signal on a left turn, Odessa Police Chief Michael Gerke said. 

The driver, who was alone in a gold pickup truck, slowed but did not stop, and fired a rifle through the rear window of the truck, striking one of the two officers.

The shooter fled westbound on the interstate, and shooting at a civilian at east Loop 338 and I-20. The suspect proceeded on a shooting spree in the City of Odessa and stole a mail carrier truck before being cornered at the Cinergy on Highway 191. 

Witness video shows police confronting the suspect outside of the theater and engaging in a shootout.

Police initially reported that there could be more than one shooter, but Gerke said authorities now believe it was only one.

‘Once this individual was taken out of the picture, there have been no more victims,’ Gerke said. 

Another witness video shows people fleeing the movie theater as police armed with rifles rush inside. ‘There’s a shooter!’ one of the fleeing moviegoers shouts. 

Police surrounded the suspect in a vehicle and killed him in a shootout behind the Cinergy theater in Odessa

Police surrounded the suspect in a vehicle and killed him in a shootout behind the Cinergy theater in Odessa

Police surrounded the suspect in a vehicle and killed him in a shootout behind the Cinergy theater in Odessa

Police are seen evacuating people from the theater after the gunman was taken down at around 4.30pm Saturday

Police are seen evacuating people from the theater after the gunman was taken down at around 4.30pm Saturday

Police are seen evacuating people from the theater after the gunman was taken down at around 4.30pm Saturday

Odessa and Midland police and sheriff's deputies surround the area behind Cinergy in Odessa after reports of the shooting

Odessa and Midland police and sheriff's deputies surround the area behind Cinergy in Odessa after reports of the shooting

Odessa and Midland police and sheriff’s deputies surround the area behind Cinergy in Odessa after reports of the shooting

Medical Center Hospital in Odessa admitted 13 victims related to the shooting, said Russel Tippin, CEO Medical Center Health System, at a press conference.

Of those 13, one is deceased, seven are in critical condition, two are in serious condition, two have been treated and released, and one is a child under the age of two who has been transferred to a pediatric facility. 

Tippin said that the hospital has a staging area for families of the victims, and remains on lockdown for the security of patients and staff.

‘Right now the hospital is stable, its secure,’ he said. 

‘Everyone hearing the sound of my voice, you need to grab on to your loved ones and hold them tight and pray for this town and the victims,’ Tippin said. 

Granados, the postal worker killed when the suspect stole her vehicle, was out making deliveries when she was shot.  

A witness told News West 9 her brother saw the attack from the living room at his home.  

‘He said that man was grabbing her somehow, and she was saying: “No no! Please!” and he shot her in the hip,’ the witness said.  

A former coworker set up a GoFundMe for Granados, which has raised nearly $9,000 as of late Sunday morning.  

‘I had the privilege to work with Mary before she started her career at USPS, she was beautiful inside and out, with a great heart and always ready to be a friend, always had a smile on her face!’ the page said.

The money will be allocated to the victim’s twin sister, Rosie Granados. 

Odessa shooting timeline 

3.15pm CT: Police initiate traffic stop for failure to signal on I-20 mile marker 131 between Odessa and Midland. 

Driver of the gold Toyota pickup truck opens fire at the officers, hitting one.

~3.30pm: Shooter flees westbound on the interstate, shooting at a civilian at east Loop 338 and I-20.

~3:30-4pm: Shooter goes on a rampage in Odessa, shooting bystanders all over the city.

There are at least 13 separate shooting scenes. 

3.57pm: Midland Police issue the first alert of a possible active shooter at the Odessa Home Depot. 

4.20pm: Odessa police issue an alert that the shooter is in a hijacked mail truck last seen at 38th and Walnut. 

At this point, the change in vehicles leads authorities to fear there are two shooters, though this is incorrect.

~4.30pm: Police corner the stolen mail van at the Cinergy theater in Odessa, and the shooter is killed in a confrontation with police.

The DPS officer who was shot and other law enforcement officers who were injured are both expected to survive. 

Midland Police Officer Owens was on duty when he was shot, his family said. 

His condition is unknown but the GoFundMe campaign indicated that his most critical injury was the glass in his eye. 

‘Please keep Zack in your prayers as we don’t know the outcome of the situation at this time,’ Abigail McCullough, who is married to the officer’s cousin Justin, wrote on the fundraising page. 

Young Anderson’s family reported that she was being airlifted to a hospital in Lubbock for treatment. 

‘Her vitals are good. She is being flown to Lubbock while we drive. Not getting to fly with her is beyond painful,’ her mother, Kelby Giesler Davis, wrote on the GoFundMe page which has raised over $105,000 as of Sunday morning. 

‘Anderson is 17 months old, has shrapnel in her right chest, which thank God is superficial. She has a hole through her bottom lip and tongue and her front teeth were knocked out,’ Davis wrote. 

‘She is alive. When others today are not alive. I ask you to continue praying for our hearts as we experience this, pray for complete healing of Anderson, pray for every other family in our same situation, or worse, today and pray for the shooters. Pray that whatever is causing them to do this will be defeated by God and they will stop shooting.’ 

A woman who photographed 15-year-old victim Leila for her quinceañera in May shared a photo of her from the celebration along with a touching tribute.  

‘We are so heartbroken to hear that our dear friend Leila Hernandez, has passed away to be with our Lord Jesus. We still don’t want to believe it,’ Mayra Cortinas wrote on Facebook. 

‘She was a victim in the tragic event that took place today in Odessa. We are grateful to have been a part of her life, and it hurts our hearts greatly that she is no longer with us on this earth. We had the privilege to have captured her & her families memories in her quince. 

‘She wasn’t just a client, she was a good friend of ours. Such a sweet girl, with such a big heart. Beautiful inside and out. Please keep her and her family in your prayers. May you rest in peace Leila. You will be missed.’

Another tribute was shared on the Facebook page Makeup by Jeremy by the person who did her makeup for the quinceañera.  

‘I am in total shock and disbelief. I had just did Leila’s makeup and her family’s back in May for her quinceañera. Unfortunately this beautiful sweet soul was victim to the shootings that took place in Odessa today,’ the post said.

‘Prayers to you Joanna Leyva and may God be there for you and your family through this difficult time.’ 

Scott Muri, superintendent of the Ector County Independent School District that Leila attended, released a statement about the shooting without identifying her.  

‘We are devastated by today’s violence, which claimed the lives of five people including one of our Odessa High School students,’ Muri wrote. 

‘Our lives have been changed forever because of these events. ECISD counselors as well as counselors from the entire region are preparing to offer services to our students, staff and families. We will commit all the resources we have available to help our community heal from this horrific tragedy. 

‘The first responders in the Odessa community, including our ECISD Police Officers, have been outstanding and prevented an even greater loss of life.’

A woman who photographed 15-year-old victim Leila for her quinceañera in May shared a photo of her from the celebration (above) along with a touching tribute

A woman who photographed 15-year-old victim Leila for her quinceañera in May shared a photo of her from the celebration (above) along with a touching tribute

Another tribute was shared by the person who did her makeup for the quinceañera. 'I am in total shock and disbelief,' the post said, calling Leila a 'beautiful sweet soul'

Another tribute was shared by the person who did her makeup for the quinceañera. 'I am in total shock and disbelief,' the post said, calling Leila a 'beautiful sweet soul'

A woman who photographed 15-year-old victim Leila for her quinceañera in May shared a photo of her from the celebration (above) along with a touching tribute. Another tribute was shared by the person who did her makeup for the quinceañera. ‘I am in total shock and disbelief,’ the post said, calling Leila a ‘beautiful sweet soul’ 

Anderson Davis of Odessa is the 17-month-old baby that was hit with a bullet fragment from the Odessa, Texas shooting. She is seen in Facebook photos with her mother Kelby Giesler Davis, father Garret Davis, and her twin brother Rhett

Anderson Davis of Odessa is the 17-month-old baby that was hit with a bullet fragment from the Odessa, Texas shooting. She is seen in Facebook photos with her mother Kelby Giesler Davis, father Garret Davis, and her twin brother Rhett

Anderson Davis of Odessa is the 17-month-old baby that was hit with a bullet fragment from the Odessa, Texas shooting. She is seen in Facebook photos with her mother Kelby Giesler Davis, father Garret Davis, and her twin brother Rhett

Young Anderson is seen with her parents and twin brother in this family photo. She was airlifted to Lubbock

Young Anderson is seen with her parents and twin brother in this family photo. She was airlifted to Lubbock

Young Anderson is seen with her parents and twin brother in this family photo. She was airlifted to Lubbock

Midland Police Officer Owens (far right) was on duty when he was shot, his family said. His condition is unknown but the GoFundMe campaign indicated that his most critical injury was the glass in his eye

Midland Police Officer Owens (far right) was on duty when he was shot, his family said. His condition is unknown but the GoFundMe campaign indicated that his most critical injury was the glass in his eye

Midland Police Officer Owens (far right) was on duty when he was shot, his family said. His condition is unknown but the GoFundMe campaign indicated that his most critical injury was the glass in his eye

The gunman traveled along I-20 and State Highway 191, which connect neighboring West Texas cities Odessa and Midland

The gunman traveled along I-20 and State Highway 191, which connect neighboring West Texas cities Odessa and Midland

The gunman traveled along I-20 and State Highway 191, which connect neighboring West Texas cities Odessa and Midland

Authorities control traffic on the E 42nd Street in Odessa, Texas, Saturday. Several people were dead after a gunman who hijacked a postal service vehicle in West Texas shot more than 20 people

Authorities control traffic on the E 42nd Street in Odessa, Texas, Saturday. Several people were dead after a gunman who hijacked a postal service vehicle in West Texas shot more than 20 people

Authorities control traffic on the E 42nd Street in Odessa, Texas, Saturday. Several people were dead after a gunman who hijacked a postal service vehicle in West Texas shot more than 20 people

Authorities cordon off a part of the sidewalk in the 5100 block of E 42nd Street in Odessa, Texas, on Saturday

Authorities cordon off a part of the sidewalk in the 5100 block of E 42nd Street in Odessa, Texas, on Saturday

Authorities cordon off a part of the sidewalk in the 5100 block of E 42nd Street in Odessa, Texas, on Saturday

A man prays outside of the Medical Center Hospital Emergency room in Odessa following a shooting rampage

A man prays outside of the Medical Center Hospital Emergency room in Odessa following a shooting rampage

A man prays outside of the Medical Center Hospital Emergency room in Odessa following a shooting rampage

Dustin Fawcett was sitting in his truck at a Starbucks in Odessa when he heard at least six gunshots ring out less than 50 yards behind him.

At first, he thought it might have been a tire blowing but he heard more shots and spotted a white sedan with a passenger window that had been shattered. That’s when he thought, ‘Oh man, this is a shooting.’

Fawcett, 28, an Odessa transportation consultant, ‘got out to make sure everyone was safe’ but found that no one had been struck by the gunfire nearby. He said a little girl was bleeding, but she hadn’t been shot, and that he found out she was grazed in the face.

Fawcett said authorities responded quickly and when police pulled out their rifles and vests he knew that ‘this is not a drive-by. This is something else, this is something bigger.’

As Odessa television station KOSA aired breaking developments on live TV, their broadcast was interrupted by police telling them they had to clear the area. 

A law enforcement officer stands in the middle of the 5100 block of E 42nd Street in Odessa, Texas, Saturday

A law enforcement officer stands in the middle of the 5100 block of E 42nd Street in Odessa, Texas, Saturday

A law enforcement officer stands in the middle of the 5100 block of E 42nd Street in Odessa, Texas, Saturday

Police are seen responding to an active shooter situation on the roads near Midland and Odessa, Texas

Police are seen responding to an active shooter situation on the roads near Midland and Odessa, Texas

Police are seen responding to an active shooter situation on the roads near Midland and Odessa, Texas

A truck with what appears to be damage from multiple bullets is seen on Interstate 20 near Midland and Odessa

A truck with what appears to be damage from multiple bullets is seen on Interstate 20 near Midland and Odessa

A truck with what appears to be damage from multiple bullets is seen on Interstate 20 near Midland and Odessa

‘There is no active shooter at this time. All agencies are investigating reports of possible suspects,’ the Midland Police Department said in statement at 6.30pm ET. 

Police said the shooter also hijacked a US Postal Service mail truck and was shooting at random at other motorists.

‘The shooter is going around shooting moving vehicles. Stay off I-20 between Odessa and Midland,’ witness Ernest Villanueva wrote on Twitter, posting photos of bullet damage to two vehicles.  

Police initially said there could have been two suspects in separate vehicles on the loose in the area. 

The two suspect vehicles in question were described as: a gold or white small Toyota truck and a hijacked USPS Postal Van. 

It is now believed that the single suspect switched vehicles at some point and hijacked the postal van. 

The chaotic situation spurred reports of shootings along I-20, along Loop 250 in Midland, and at a Home Depot in Odessa. 

‘Please stay away from these areas and stay indoors,’ the Midland Police Department said in a statement. 

‘For the safety of the public and law enforcement please stay away from the area and stay in your homes. We will update with more information as soon as possible,’ the Midland department said.  

'The shooter is going around shooting moving vehicles. Stay off I-20 between Odessa and Midland,' a witness said

'The shooter is going around shooting moving vehicles. Stay off I-20 between Odessa and Midland,' a witness said

‘The shooter is going around shooting moving vehicles. Stay off I-20 between Odessa and Midland,’ a witness said

Residents are seen apparently helping a wounded victim after the shooting rampage in Texas

Residents are seen apparently helping a wounded victim after the shooting rampage in Texas

Residents are seen apparently helping a wounded victim after the shooting rampage in Texas

Bullet damage is seen to the windshield of a vehicle in the aftermath of the shooting rampage in Texas

Bullet damage is seen to the windshield of a vehicle in the aftermath of the shooting rampage in Texas

Bullet damage is seen to the windshield of a vehicle in the aftermath of the shooting rampage in Texas

Bullet damage is seen to the windshield of a vehicle in the aftermath of the shooting rampage in Texas

Bullet damage is seen to the windshield of a vehicle in the aftermath of the shooting rampage in Texas

Odessa Police Chief Michael Gerke is seen addressing the media at the Odessa Police Department

Odessa Police Chief Michael Gerke is seen addressing the media at the Odessa Police Department

Odessa Police Chief Michael Gerke is seen addressing the media at the Odessa Police Department 

The Dallas Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms said that ATF agents are responding to assist in the investigation.

The NYPD counter-terrorism unit said it is closely monitoring the situation in Texas. 

The shooting comes just weeks after a gunman killed 22 people after opening fire at a Walmart in the Texas border city of El Paso, which is just over 300 miles from Odessa. 

President Donald Trump has been briefed on the shooting and the White House is monitoring the situation.

‘Just briefed by Attorney General Barr about the shootings in Texas. FBI and Law Enforcement is fully engaged,’ Trump wrote in a tweet.  

Vice President Mike Pence said following the shooting that Trump and his administration ‘remain absolutely determined’ to work with leaders in both parties in Congress to take such steps ‘so we can address and confront this scourge of mass atrocities in our country.’

Preparing to fly to Poland, Pence told reporters that Trump is ‘fully engaged’ and closely monitoring the investigation. 

He said: ‘Our hearts go out to all the victims, the families and loved ones.’ He also commended law enforcement ‘for their swift, courageous response.’

Pence said Trump has deployed the federal government in response to the shootings. 

He added that Trump has spoken to the attorney general and that the FBI is already assisting local law enforcement. 

Many of the leading candidates for the Democratic presidential nomination also issued statements in response to the shooting.

‘I’m heartsick for the victims of this latest mass shooting in Odessa and Midland. We shouldn’t have to live with this near daily fear and horror. We’ve already lost far too many to gun violence—Congress must act now,’ wrote Sentor Elizabeth Warren.

‘I’m sick of this. America is sick of this. We need to act,’ wrote Senator Kamala Harris.

Businessman Andrew Yang wrote: ‘We are the only country that struggles with gun violence at this level. Other countries respond to tragedy. We must as well. Our people deserve better than to live in fear and be struck down at random. We are better than this. We will do better for our kids.’ 

Beto O’Rourke, a former congressman from Texas, tweeted in both Spanish and English: ‘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.’  

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