Two Officers Shot at Odessa Apartment Complex

 

Two Odessa police officers were shot at an apartment complex while delivering a parole violation warrant, an area news station reported.

The report stated that both officers approached a door and a woman answered. While conversing with the woman, a man came from behind the woman and began firing at the officers. An eyewitness said that he heard 30 to 35 rounds.

At a press conference, it was confirmed that the shooting occurred at Clayton Manor Apartments at 11:50 a.m. According to the report, one officer was hit in the chest and the hip, and the second officer was hit in the arm and the leg. A police source stated that both officers are expected to be okay.

The shooter, however, has not been caught and is expected to be inside the apartments. An update at 1:45 p.m. said that a negotiator was on the scene and attempting to communicate with the male suspect.

At 2 p.m., Odessa PD published a statement via Facebook:

"At approximately 1130 hours this morning, the Odessa Police were on scene at the Clayton Manor Apartments (1000 block of Custer) attempting to serve a warrant. At approximately 1155 hours, the suspect began shooting at officers and shot two officers. Both officers were transported to Medical Center Hospital with serious bodily injuries and their exact conditions are unknown right now. At this time the suspect has barricaded himself inside and the public is asked to please avoid the area as a potential threat still remains."

Update 4:40 p.m.

The Odessa American reports that both officers are listed in "fair" condition. Odessa PD release the names of the officers injured. They were "Sgt. Pedro "Pete" Gonzales, who has been with the department 11 years and Cory Wester, two and 1/2 years."

Update 10:10 p.m.

At approximately 9:30 p.m. this evening, OPD reported that the suspect was taken into custody with no further incident. "The subject involved in the shooting has been taken into custody. There will be a police presence for a while at the scene," OPD reported in a statement.

Update Dec. 24, 11 a.m.

The Texas Rangers have taken over the investigation. They reported, "The officer involved shooting that occurred yesterday at the 1000 Block of Custer (Clayton Manor Town Homes), involving Roy Daniel Garza, is still under investigation by our Texas Rangers.  His charges are eight counts of Attempted Capital Murder of a Peace Officer." 

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It was clear the suspect wanted to kill a police officer. What a waste of time and resources. They should of just barged into the apartment. Trying to negotiate was a dumb idea and it got two more officers hurt.

"It was clear the suspect wanted to kill a police officer. What a waste of time and resources. They should of just barged into the apartment. Trying to negotiate was a dumb idea and it got two more officers hurt."
Santos...I beg that you read the article again....It was only after the officers made contact with the suspect and were subsequently shot that the "Negotiation" you speak of took place. After the two officers were shot and removed from the premises did they attempt to talk the suspect out of his hold up location within the apartment. This would be standard operating procedure for a situation like this...If you notice, no one else was injured and the suspect was taken into custody. I doubt the suspect wanted to shoot the officers but opted for that in lieu of spending Christmas in jail. As a result he will most likely spend the rest of his Christmases in jail. Thank God the officers will survive. Unfortunately this is a risk our officers take every day they pin that badge on.

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