Records show Midland-Odessa shooter was from Lorena

LORENA, TX — Law enforcement sources have identified the Midland-Odessa shooter as 36-year-old Seth Ator.

According to online records, Seth Ator is from Lorena, Texas. Ator has an arrest record in McLennan County. He was convicted of criminal trespassing and evading arrest in 2002 then served 24 months probation and the charges were waived.

Lorena ISD Superintendent Joe Kucera confirmed that Seth Ator did attend Lorena ISD between 1995 and 2000, but he did not graduate from the school.

Kucera says Ator's records show he moved several times between Canyon ISD in Amarillo and Lorena ISD during those years. Ator was in the class of 2001, but withdrew from Lorena High School in November of 2000 before graduating. Kucera says Ator left the school and enrolled in a GED program.

In the statement issued by Lorena ISD, Kucera says, "Our hearts and prayers go out to the victims and their families of the tragedy in Odessa."

People in the neighborhood say they lost touch with the family over the last five years.

Ator was killed by law enforcement in a shootout at movie theater in Odessa. The shooting began when Ator opened fire on a state trooper during a traffic stop Saturday. He then proceeded to steal a mail carrier truck and continued to shoot innocent people all over Odessa, resulting in the deaths of 7 people. At least 19 others were injured.

The seven people who were killed ranged in age from 15 to 57, said Odessa Police Chief Michael Gerke at a news conference. Gerke also said the gunman used an “AR-style weapon."

At Sunday's press conference, Abbott said, “I have been to too many of these events. Too many Texans are in mourning. Too many Texans have lost their lives. The status quo in Texas is unacceptable, and action is needed.”

On Saturday, Governor Abbott released a statement saying he and his wife were heartbroken over this senseless and cowardly attack.

President Trump released a statement Sunday praising the first responders and law enforcement for their handling of the tragedy, which he referred to as a very tough and sad situation. In a news conference, Trump also said that his administration is committed to working with Congress to "stop the menace of mass attacks."