Police Open Fire on Suspect Who Rammed Stolen Equipment into Patrol Cars at Wagner Noel Center in Odessa

On October 20th, 2023, law enforcement officers from the Odessa Police Department (OPD) responded to a call for assistance from the University of Texas Permian Basin Police Department (UTPB) at the Wagner Noel Center, where they were dealing with an active disturbance involving a suspect.

As the situation continued to unfold, the suspect took drastic actions by stealing a piece of heavy equipment. The individual then recklessly attempted to run over both officers and innocent citizens. In response to this dangerous behavior, officers from both OPD and UTPB initiated a pursuit of the suspect. The pursuit led them to Highway 191, east of FM 1788.

On Highway 191, the suspect deliberately turned the stolen heavy equipment and used it to ram an Odessa Police Department patrol car and a UTPB law enforcement vehicle. Faced with this imminent threat to their safety and the safety of others, officers from both agencies resorted to the use of their firearms in an effort to halt the assault.

The suspect sustained injuries as a result of the officers’ use of firearms and was subsequently transported to the Medical Center Hospital (MCH) for medical treatment. As of the latest reports, the suspect is in stable condition. Fortunately, no law enforcement officers were injured during this harrowing incident.

The investigation into the events of October 20th is now under the jurisdiction of the Texas Rangers, who will work to determine the full details surrounding the incident.