Mass Shooting along Texas Highway Leaves 7 Dead, at Least 22 Injured

A 36-year-old West Texas man indiscriminately opened fire on pedestrians along a Texas highway on Saturday, killing seven people and wounding at least 22.

According to USA Today, the shooting began after the 36-year-old was pulled over by a Texas Department of Public Safety Officer for failing to use a turn signal.

USA Today reports that the 36-year-old – who was fired from his job earlier that day – shot the public safety officer before taking off in his car and opening fire on passers-by and fellow motorists.

Reportedly, the man indiscriminately opened fire at pedestrians and police officers in a chase that spanned over 10 miles. 

According to CNN, the chase ended with a shootout between the gunman and police which left several officers wounded and the shooter dead.

According to Texas Governor Greg Abbott, the shooter had a criminal record and previously failed a background check while trying to obtain a gun. Abbott wrote in a tweet, “Not only did the Odessa gunman have a criminal history... he also previously failed a gun purchase background check in Texas... & he didn’t go thru a background check for the gun he used in Odessa. We must keep guns out of criminals’ hands.”

Not only did the Odessa gunman have a criminal history...

...he also previously failed a gun purchase background check in Texas...

...& he didn’t go thru a background check for the gun he used in Odessa.

We must keep guns out of criminals’ hands. https://t.co/vgrqcHtBtF

— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) September 2, 2019

According to CBS News, those killed in the shooting include: Leilah Hernandez, 15; Edwin Peregrino, 25; postal worker, Mary Granados, 29; military veteran, Kameron Brown, 30; Raul Garcia, 35; Joseph Griffith, 40; Rodolfo “Rudy” Arco, 57.

Among the wounded are Jesus Alvidrez, 21; Maria Boado, 27; Daniel Munoz, 28; Larry Shores, 34; Krystal Lee, 36; Marc Gonzales, 38; Robert Cavasoz, 38; Quadri Fatai, 41; Efe Obayagbona, 45; Lilia Diaz, 46; Coy Edge, 53; Timmothy Hardaway, 54; Timothy Beard, 55; Joseph Glide, 60; Glenda Dempsy, 62; Marco Corral, 62; and Bradley Grimsley, 64. According to CBS News, a 17-month-old baby girl and a 9-year-old boy were also wounded in the shooting.

At the time of this writing, no further information has been released to specify how the shooter obtained the gun or his motive behind the shooting.

Photo courtesy: Getty Images/Cengiz Yar/Stringer