IRION COUNTY, Texas — UPDATE (3:11 p.m. April 16): Irion County Judge Molly Criner provided a social media update to Irion County residents Tuesday afternoon.
In her post, Criner said:
"The search for the fugitive in Irion County is ongoing 4-6 miles west of Mertzon at this time.
When an event lasts awhile as this one has, personnel and equipment will be coming and going, especially around law enforcement facilities, and briefings will be taking place.
So, you may see increased activity involving officers and vehicles in the area. That doesn’t necessarily mean there’s been a change in the situation.
The search is ongoing at this time and there is no new information to report.
Molly Criner, Irion County Judge"
UPDATE (2:45 p.m. April 16): Irion County ISD sent another update to parents and guardians Tuesday afternoon to share the district's extra-curricular activities plan while the manhunt for a murder suspect is happening nearby.
- ICISD junior high students will go home after school Tuesday.
- High school students have the option of attending or skipping after-school practices without penalties for absences.
- Track practice will be on the field and will be "attended by an armed watchman."
- Tennis practice will be at the large tennis courts and "attended by an armed watchman."
- One-Act Play practice will be in the auditorium and "attended by an armed watchman."
The district says in addition to its own safety protocols, it has been informed there will be an increased law enforcement presence through 6 a.m. Wednesday.
UPDATE (9:55 a.m. April 16): The Irion County ISD sent a letter to parents and guardians Tuesday morning providing updates on the day's safety protocols while the search for the murder suspect.
The protocols include:
- Closed campus for lunch (all students can eat in the cafeteria for free Tuesday)
- All secondary students who leave campus for lunch or other activities must be escorted by a parent or guardian when signing in and signing out.
- Elementary school students will not have outside recess Tuesday. Pre-K through third grade will stay in their zone and meals/"specials" will be delivered to them.
- Students will be escorted to and from auxiliary buildings by Mr. Tillman and Mr. Green.
- Practice for Little Olympics is canceled Tuesday.
The district said it will wait until 2:30 p.m. Tuesday to decide on after-school practices and activities. Parents/guardians are asked not to make/send deliveries to the school Tuesday for safety reasons.
UPDATE (9:30 a.m. April 16): The Texas Department of Public Safety confirmed the search for the murder suspect is ongoing in the area of RM 2469 near Mertzon.
Additionally, the agency provided a description of the suspect as a white male with blonde or light brown hair, with a thin build who was last seen wearing blue jeans and brown boots. He is armed with a firearm and considered dangerous, DPS said.
All available DPS assets are being utilized to assist with the search and DPS advises the public to remain vigilant by keeping homes and vehicles locked.
Please report any suspicious activity to law enforcement by calling the Irion County Sheriff’s Office at 325-835-2551.
ORIGINAL STORY: In a social media post to Irion County residents Tuesday morning, Mertzon Mayor Aubrey Stewart said law enforcement agencies are still searching for the suspect believed to have murdered a man in Odessa, then stole a vehicle before leading law enforcement on a chase into Irion County.
Here's what the post said:
"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. 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. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Mayor Aubrey Stewart"
Monday, our sister station, NewsWest 9, reported multiple law enforcement agencies are actively searching for an Odessa murder and car theft suspect. The suspect, who has only been identified as a "white male", left the Midland-Odessa area in a black Mustang, before crashing County. DPS said the pursuit continues with the suspect on foot.
At around 10:24 a.m. Monday, the Ector County Sheriff's Office said a man approached a homeowner in the 5700 block of Greenway in Ector County.
According to Ector County Sheriff Mike Griffis, the man asked to borrow the homeowner's phone, but the homeowner denied him. ECSO officials say that's when the suspect shot and killed the homeowner and stole the car.
A City of Odessa Facebook post said authorities then conducted an intensive search for a black Ford Mustang convertible that evaded a police pursuit. Then at 10:50 a.m. Monday, law enforcement officers were alerted on Highway 80 and Faudree Road by a civilian who was targeted by gunfire from the man fleeing in the Mustang.
The City of Midland said it is aware of the situation and the man driving the car "is believed to be connected to a recent homicide and carjacking incident in the Odessa area."
NewsWest 9 was told both Ector County and Midland ISD campuses went into a "secure lockdown", meaning all students and staff were to remain indoors. No one can enter or exit while continuing to operate on a regular schedule inside the building. As of 11:53 a.m. Monday, the "secure" lockdown has been lifted for both ECISD and MISD campuses.
At 12:59 p.m. Monday, NewsWest 9 was able to confirm from the Texas Department of Public Safety the suspect crashed the Mustang in Mertzon and switched to a Chevrolet Tahoe.
The owner of the Tahoe posted to social media: "Well everyone. The craziest thing happened to me today. The homicide suspect from midland today ended up wrecking his stolen vehicle 1/2 from our jobsite. Then while we were working he came up behind us and stole my Tahoe and pulled his gun on one of my guys and almost ran me over with my Tahoe. I couldn’t believe this. Now my vehicle is totaled but he is still at large. Just thankful to God that we are ok at C&C pipe and fencing."
As of 3 p.m. Monday, the man ditched the Tahoe and is in Irion County on Ranch Road 2469, six-eight miles outside of Mertzon, DPS said.
Tuesday, the Irion County luncheon has been canceled. Schools are in session with added law enforcement presence, according to the Irion County ISD. Students will be closely monitored between passing periods and throughout the day.
The suspect is considered armed and dangerous. Law enforcement asks the public not to make contact the suspect - instead call 9-1-1.
This is a developing story. More information will be posted as it becomes available from official channels.
