MIDLAND, Texas — A West Texas community is reeling after a gunman went on a violent rampage across the city of Midland on Friday morning, June 12, 2026, leaving one person dead and at least nine others hospitalized.

The incident, which triggered an hours-long police standoff, ended when the suspect was found deceased.

The violence began around 8:00 a.m. local time when reports of shots fired emerged in the southwestern part of the city. Witnesses described a chaotic scene, with some reporting at least 40 gunshots fired as the gunman moved through different areas.

The suspect was eventually tracked to an abandoned veterinary clinic in the 4600 block of West Wall Street, where he barricaded himself. Law enforcement agencies—including the Midland Police Department, the Texas Department of Public Safety, and the FBI—surrounded the building. According to Midland Mayor Lori Blong, the suspect's body was discovered at approximately 12:30 p.m. following the deployment of a police robot and drone into the facility.

Nine victims were transported to Midland Memorial Hospital for treatment. As of Friday afternoon, hospital officials reported that four patients required surgery, while the remaining five were listed in stable condition.

The city identified the deceased victim as Ed Scott, a local city employee. Mayor Blong expressed the city's grief, stating, "My heart breaks for the victims and their families. We are praying for every person touched by today's events and for the law enforcement officers who risked their own safety to protect our community".

Authorities identified the shooter as 45-year-old Victor Mata Villarreal, a resident of Odessa, Texas. Police revealed that Villarreal had been a wanted man prior to the shooting. He was sought for attempted capital murder of a peace officer following a vehicle pursuit on the night of Wednesday, June 10, during which he allegedly exited his car and exchanged gunfire with officers before fleeing.

The shooting has deeply affected Midland, a city of approximately 140,000 residents. The event brought back painful memories of a 2019 mass shooting in the Midland-Odessa area, which claimed seven lives and injured over two dozen others.

"It makes me really scared that there are people walking around with guns who can just kill you and kill anyone around you," said one local resident, reflecting the anxiety felt across the community. State and federal officials, including Governor Greg Abbott, have offered their condolences and commended the swift response of local law enforcement in preventing further loss of life.