Midland Mass Shooting: One Killed, Ten Wounded; Suspect Found Dead After Barricade

At least one person was killed and 10 others were wounded in a shooting Friday morning in Midland, Texas, authorities said. The suspected shooter, identified as Victor Mata Villarreal, was later found dead after barricading himself inside an abandoned veterinary clinic.

State police said officers responded to reports of gunfire in the southwestern part of the city at about 8:00 a.m. local time. According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, the suspect fired on both law enforcement officers and bystanders before taking refuge in the clinic. No police officers were injured.

Timeline and suspect background: Midland police said Villarreal had been wanted on an attempted capital murder charge for allegedly opening fire on officers during a vehicle chase on Wednesday night. During that earlier incident, officers say Villarreal pulled over, exited his vehicle and exchanged gunfire with law enforcement but managed to escape.

The suspect’s body was located at about 12:30 p.m. after officers used a robot and a drone to check the clinic, Midland Mayor Lori Blong said. Officials did not immediately release the cause of death while investigations continued.

Law enforcement responds to an active shooting scene on Friday, June 12, 2026, in Midland, Texas. / Credit: Luke Dias/Reporter-Telegram via AP

Victims and hospital response: Midland Memorial Hospital reported nine shooting victims were brought to its facility; four required surgery (three were in recovery and one remained in the operating room as of Friday afternoon), and five victims had already been discharged. Authorities said a total of 10 people were wounded in the incident, and the person killed was later identified as Ed Scott, a City of Midland employee who was active in local and regional softball organizations.

Witnesses described a chaotic scene as dozens of patrol cars, Texas Rangers units and undercover vehicles converged on the area. Lee Carlisle, a nearby motel guest, told reporters he saw officers arrive within minutes after calls about the suspect.

Midland Memorial briefly went into lockdown as staff moved patients to safety; witnesses praised the hospital’s calm and professionalism during the response. Community leaders, including Mayor Blong and Governor Greg Abbott, issued statements expressing sorrow for victims and gratitude for first responders.

Investigators continue to piece together the sequence of events and the motive. Authorities urged anyone with information or footage of the incident to contact Midland law enforcement as the case remains under active investigation.