By CBS7 Staff
Published: Apr. 15, 2024 at 11:32 AM CDT
ODESSA, Texas (KOSA) - BREAKING: According to the Texas DPS the manhunt for the suspect wanted in connection with a murder in Ector County has ended.
The man believed to be the murder suspect is dead following an officer-involved shooting around 4 p.m. on Tuesday.
The Texas Rangers are investigating the officer-involved shooting.
CBS7 will continue to update this article as more details are released.
UPDATE 4:30 p.m. Tuesday: According to Sgt. Blanco with Texas DPS, Irion County ISD is on lockdown after shots were fired during the search for an Odessa murder suspect.
CBS7 will continue to update this article as more details are released.
UPDATE: 2:13 p.m. Tuesday: According to Sheriff Griffis, the man who was killed in his home by the manhunt suspect has been identified as 74 year-old, Ronald Wayne Irwin.
The suspect was last seen in a pasture in Irion County near Mertzon Monday afternoon.
Griffis added that the subject has been tentatively identified but until his identity is confirmed that information will not be released.
UPDATE 10:00 a.m. Tuesday: DPS says the manhunt is still ongoing, and released a description of the suspect: white male, thin build, blue jeans, brown boots, blonde/ light brown hair.
He is armed with a firearm and considered dangerous.
The homicide suspect from Ector County is still at-large in Irion County in the area of RM 2469 near the city of Mertzon.
All available DPS assets are being utilized to assist with the search for the suspect.
We are advising the public to remain vigilant by keeping homes and vehicles locked.
Please report any suspicious activity to law enforcement. Contact: Irion County Sheriff’s Office (325) 835-2551
UPDATE 7:05 a.m. Tuesday:
The Mayor of Mertzon, Aubrey Stewart, posted an update Tuesday morning on Facebook:
“As of about 4:30 this morning, law enforcement is still searching for the suspect. They will be doing a grid search come daylight. There should be an increase in law enforcement with the search. The suspect is still suspected to be around the S curve on 2469 a few miles from Mertzon. If you can avoid going down 2469, please do so. Please remain vigilant with vehicles locked and houses locked and please continue to stay indoors. Again, please refrain from rubbernecking, which could distract from the search.”
UPDATE 9:50 p.m.: According to Sgt. Blanco, the suspect wanted for murdering someone in Ector County is still at large as of 9:00 pm.
The suspect is thought to be on foot and armed, near Irion County. He has been on the run since 10:50 a.m. Monday morning.
He has stolen two cars and crashed them both after murdering a man in his home. The search continues on the ground.
UPDATE 3:00 p.m.: According to Sgt. Steven Blanco, the wanted suspect wrecked a stolen Chevy into a pasture near RM 2469.
Sgt. Blanco says that the suspect is now on foot about NW of Mertzon in Irion County.
UPDATE 2:40 p.m.: According to the San Angelo Police Department, SAPD are strategically positioned on the roadways heading toward Irion County.
SAPD does not believe there is an active threat to San Angelo Citizens.
The SAPD and TGSO are actively monitoring the situation stemming from the Midland/Odessa area. Recent information...
Posted by San Angelo Police Department onMonday, April 15, 2024
UPDATE 1:09 p.m.: According to Sheriff Mike Griffis, the suspect is in a new vehicle, a tan Chevy Tahoe headed towards San Angelo.
Sheriff Griffis tells CBS7 the suspect wrecked the black Mustang and is now in a tan Chevy Tahoe.
UPDATE 12:58 p.m.: Midland police report the suspect in the black Mustang is driving towards Tom Green County and San Angelo.
Officers in Reagan County are actively in pursuit of the suspect.
According to the city of Midland, this morning, the suspect was on roads in Midland County, including FM 1788 between business 20 and Highway 191.
UPDATE 12:10 p.m.: According to the Ector County Sheriff’s Office, at 10:24 a.m. an unknown white male subject approached a homeowner in the 5700 block of Greenway in Ector County.
The suspect confronted the homeowner and a struggle ensued. Then suspect shot and killed the homeowner and took the homeowners vehicle, a black Ford Mustang.
ECSO says the suspect is considered armed and dangerous, and the public should not confront him. If you see the vehicle you are encouraged to call 9-1-1.
According to the City of Odessa, an Odessan was shot at along Highway 80 and Faudree. That person flagged down police, and now law enforcement is actively searching for a black Ford Mustang convertible that drove away from the scene.
The city says the Ector County Sheriff’s Office is involved in the investigation.
The Midland Police department is also asking that anyone that sees the car or knows anything to come forward with that information. The vehicle is considered to be dangerous, and individuals are advised not to approach it if spotted.
According to the City of Midland the Mustang was involved in a carjacking and shooting.
MPD says at this time there is no threat to the City of Midland, but it is monitoring the situation.
CBS7 has confirmed with Ector County ISD that some of its schools have gone into a secure hold, as a precaution.
A secure hold has been defined by the district in the past as “a precaution and means all students and faculty members remain inside and visitors are restricted from the building.”
ECISD posted the following message to its Facebook Page AT 11:45 a.m.:
**UPDATE** SECURE has been LIFTED**All ECISD schools and buildings were in a Secure but that has now been lifted. The...
Posted by Ector County ISD onMonday, April 15, 2024
At 11:51 a.m. ECISD announced that the secure had been lifted and that there were no threats to any of its schools. In a statement saying, “The District took that action after receiving word that local law enforcement agencies were searching for a vehicle that reportedly fired shots at others while driving around... the Secure was done as a precaution and is now lifted.”
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