On August 5, 2024, at approximately 7:40 p.m., the Midland Police Department responded to reports of gunfire at the Grand Texan Hotel and Convention Center, located at 4300 W. Wall St. Upon arrival, officers observed that the windows of a hotel room had been shattered by gunfire. While securing the area, they heard an additional gunshot from within the room.
Officers promptly evacuated guests from adjacent rooms and attempted to establish contact with the individual inside, but received no response.
The department's SWAT team was deployed to manage the situation. After breaching the room's door, they utilized a drone and robot to assess the interior and discovered a male individual lying on the floor, apparently deceased. SWAT officers then entered the room and confirmed that the man, identified as 44-year-old Midland resident Juan Fernando Hidalgo, had died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Preliminary investigations revealed that Hidalgo had discharged multiple rounds from both a pistol and a rifle inside the room, with some bullets penetrating the room's walls and windows. No other individuals were reported injured during the incident. Authorities have notified Hidalgo's next of kin, and the investigation remains ongoing. At this time, there are no reports of any arrests or involvement of additional suspects related to this case.
