Washington (CNN) Democratic presidential candidate and Texas native Beto O'Rourke on Saturday reacted to news of a mass shooting between the cities of Midland and Odessa, Texas, with a terse call to action, stating, "We need to end this epidemic."

"Our hearts are with Midland, Odessa, and everyone in West Texas who has to endure this again. More information is forthcoming, but here's what we know: We need to end this epidemic," he tweeted.

Speaking at an event in Fairfax Station, Virginia, as details of the shooting unfolded, O'Rourke said, "There is no reason we have to accept this as our fortune, as our future."

At least seven people were killed in Saturday's massacre, according to Odessa police spokesman Steven LeSueur. Midland police confirmed on a Facebook page that the shooter was shot and killed in Odessa.