West Texas Gunman Leaves 7 dead, 22 Injured in Shooting Spree -- Security Today

West Texas Gunman Leaves 7 Dead, 22 Injured in Shooting Spree

Seth Ator, 36, went on a deadly shooting rampage from Midland to Odessa, Texas on Saturday. Ator fatally shot 7 and injured 22 in the shooting spree.

By Sherelle Black
Sep 02, 2019

Over the Labor Day weekend, a West Texas man was pulled over by troopers and shot at them with a rifle and sped away, which led the man to go on a shooting spree that left seven dead on Saturday.

Law enforcement identified the shooter as 36-year-old Seth Ator.After speeding away from troopers after he was stopped for failing to signal a left turn, Ator randomly shot at residents and motorists while driving. He hijacked a postal truck and made his way to Odessa from Midland. There, police confronted him and killed him in a shootout.

The New York Times reported Ator was fired from his trucking job hours before the shooting spree occurred.

Odessa Police Chief Michael Gerke said those fatally shot were between 15 and 57 years old. Ator also injured 22 people. The youngest was a 17-month-old girl who sustained injuries that included shrapnel in her chest.

This is the second shooting to happen in Texas in less than a month. A shooting at a Walmart in El Paso, about 285 miles west of Odessa happened Aug. 3.

In a news conference Sunday, Texas Governor Greg Abbott spoke about the shooting.

“I’m heartbroken by the crying of the people of the State of Texas,” Abbott said. “I’m tired of the dying of the people of the state of Texas. Too many Texans are in mourning. Too many Texans have lost their lives. The status quo in Texas is unacceptable and action is needed.”

About the Author

Sherelle Black is a Content Editor for the Infrastructure Solutions Group at 1105 Media.

ZBeta Strengthens Its Advisory Bench with New Appointment
05/05/2025
Security Trends Reshaping Enterprise Resilience Into 2027
05/05/2025
Amerant Bank Selects Omnilert AI Technology for Enhanced Video Surveillance Security
05/02/2025
Minnesota County Is Still Reaping Huge Benefits from ASAP Service
05/01/2025
Winsted Unveils Pinnacle Collection with Sliding Worksurface
04/30/2025
Everon Awarded Sourcewell Cooperative Purchasing Contract
04/30/2025
Honeywell Signs Global Distribution Agreement With Milestone Systems
04/28/2025
DSI Security Services Announces Leadership Reorganization and Strategic Growth Initiatives
04/21/2025

Featured

Body-Worn Cameras on the Rise

On the evening of Oct. 29, 2024, the owner of 300 Guard based in Houston, was shot while on duty at a convenience store. He returned fire. He was wearing a plated vest and thankfully recovered in the hospital. Read Now
- Government
Fast-Forward from 1,000 B.C.E. to Today

The lock and key have been around since time immemorial. In fact, the locksmith profession is one of the oldest in the world when you consider the earliest wooden tumbler lock debuted three-plus millennia ago. Read Now
- Access Control
Brazil Port Enhances Surveillance and Supports Wildlife Conservation with Sustainable Technology

Ferroport, which operates the iron ore terminal at the Port of Açu in São João da Barra, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, has deployed state-of-the-art video surveillance cameras from Axis Communications to enhance nighttime security and visibility, while decreasing environmental impact and prioritizing sustainability. With cutting-edge technology, the port now has precise surveillance cameras that capture high-quality nighttime images, while reducing the amount of artificial lighting that negatively impacts the surrounding ecosystem. Read Now
- Government
Verizon’s 2025 Data Breach Investigations Report Notes Alarming Cyberattack Surge Through Third Parties

Verizon Business recently released its 2025 Data Breach Investigations Report (DBIR), which reveals a significant increase in cyberattacks. The report found that third-party involvement in breaches has doubled to 30%, and exploitation of vulnerabilities has surged by 34%, creating a concerning threat landscape for businesses globally. Read Now
- Cybersecurity
Net2 Access Control Increases Reliability at Residential Complex

Encore Atlantic Shores is a residential complex of 240 luxurious townhomes for ages 55 and over in Eastport, New York. Completed in 2011, the site boasts an 11,800 square foot clubhouse, with amenities such as a fitness center, heated indoor pool, whirlpool spa, multi-purpose ballroom, cardroom and clubroom with billiards, tennis courts and an outdoor putting green. Read Now
- Access Control

Security Today eNews

Sign up today for essential industry news and product information that can help you stay afloat in the fast-paced world of security.

Email Address*Country*

Please type the letters/numbers you see above.

Webinars

Whitepapers

New Products

AC Nio

Aiphone, a leading international manufacturer of intercom, access control, and emergency communication products, has introduced the AC Nio, its access control management software, an important addition to its new line of access control solutions.
EasyGate SPT SPD

Security solutions do not have to be ordinary, let alone unattractive. Having renewed their best-selling speed gates, Cominfo has once again demonstrated their Art of Security philosophy in practice — and confirmed their position as an industry-leading manufacturers of premium speed gates and turnstiles.
Camden CM-221 Series Switches

Camden Door Controls is pleased to announce that, in response to soaring customer demand, it has expanded its range of ValueWave™ no-touch switches to include a narrow (slimline) version with manual override. This override button is designed to provide additional assurance that the request to exit switch will open a door, even if the no-touch sensor fails to operate. This new slimline switch also features a heavy gauge stainless steel faceplate, a red/green illuminated light ring, and is IP65 rated, making it ideal for indoor or outdoor use as part of an automatic door or access control system. ValueWave™ no-touch switches are designed for easy installation and trouble-free service in high traffic applications. In addition to this narrow version, the CM-221 & CM-222 Series switches are available in a range of other models with single and double gang heavy-gauge stainless steel faceplates and include illuminated light rings.