At least seven people have been killed and 21 are injured after a gunman opened fire in the west Texas cities of Odessa and Midland.

Officers shot dead the gunman after he hijacked two separate vehicles and began shooting at random, hitting multiple people from around 3.17pm on Saturday.

"The active shooter was shot and killed at the Cinergy in Odessa," Midland police said on Facebook, referring to a multiplex cinema in Odessa.

Image: Police arriving at Cinergy Odessa cinema following a shooting in Odessa

The shooting began when the suspect was stopped for failing to signal a left turn while driving, before gunfire was exchanged with police.

The suspect, described as a white male in his 30s, hijacked a US Postal Service vehicle and began firing at random in the area of Odessa and Midland.


Speaking at a news conference, Odessa Police Chief Michael Gerke said that at least three police officers were among those shot in the "horrific" incident.

One of the shooting victims was a child under the age of two, who is being treated in hospital.

Image: People being evacuated from Cinergy Odessa cinema

Image: Police officers park their vehicle outside Music City Mall in Odessa

Odessa police previously said there were two possible gunmen in two separate vehicles driving around the city and shooting random people.

Mr Gerke said authorities now believe it was only one gunman, whom he declined to name.

"Once this individual was taken out of the picture, there have been no more victims," he said.

Image: Officers investigate areas following a deadly shooting in the area of Odessa and Midland

Russell Tippin, chief executive of Medical Center Hospital in Odessa, said 13 shooting victims have been treated at the hospital, including one who died.

He earlier said seven of the shooting victims were in a critical condition, including several who had already undergone surgery. Two others were said to be in a serious condition.

In its latest update, Odessa police said at least one person remains in a "life-threatening" condition.

Image: People stand outside the Cinergy Odessa cinema following a shooting

Midland mayor Jerry Morales said the gunman was shot and killed in the car park of a cinema. He told CNN: "We're hoping it's just one shooter and we have contained him."

Mr Morales said he did not know anything about the suspect or what his motive was.

He said that one of the police officers that was shot was in surgery with non life-threatening injuries.

:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify,Spreaker

Armed police stormed through the Music City Mall in Odessa and the building went on lockdown, CBS affiliate CBS 7 reported.

The University of Texas warned students to stay in their dorms after there were initial reports that the suspect was in the east Odessa area.

The Texas Department of Public Safety has urged residents to avoid major highways in the area, including Interstate 20.

Falcons: law enforcement in Midland and Odessa are working to locate and contain a shooter. Please stay in your dorm or office and do not open your doors. There were initial reports that the suspect was in east odessa. We will post here as soon as the situation is under control — UT Permian Basin (@utpb) August 31, 2019

US President Donald Trump said he had been briefed about the shootings.

He tweeted: "Just briefed by Attorney General Barr about the shootings in Texas. FBI and Law Enforcement is fully engaged. More to follow."

Just briefed by Attorney General Barr about the shootings in Texas. FBI and Law Enforcement is fully engaged. More to follow. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 31, 2019

Following the shooting, Vice President Mike Pence said that Mr Trump and his administration "remain absolutely determined" to work with leaders in both parties in Congress to take such steps "so we can address and confront this scourge of mass atrocities in our country".

He added that the US president is "fully engaged" and closely monitoring the investigation.

"Our hearts go out to all the victims, the families and loved ones," he said.

He also commended law enforcement "for their swift, courageous response."

Odessa is located around 20 miles southwest of Midland and both are more than 300 miles (482km) west of Dallas.

The shooting came after 22 people were killed at a Walmart store around 255 miles (410km) west of Midland in the Texas city of El Paso on 2 August.

This week, Texas governor Greg Abbott held two meetings with lawmakers about how to prevent more mass shootings in Texas.

A database showed that the West Texas shooting brings the number of mass killings in the US to 25 so far this year - which is as many mass killings as in all of 2018.