Seth Ator

Mass Murderer

Seth Ator and the 2019 Midland-Odessa Mass Shooting

Overview

On August 31, 2019, 36-year-old Seth Aaron Ator carried out a prolonged mass shooting across Midland County and Odessa, Texas. Rather than attacking a single building, Ator traveled through highways, commercial districts, residential streets, and parking lots while firing at motorists, pedestrians, families, and law-enforcement officers. Seven victims were killed, more than twenty people were wounded or otherwise injured, and Ator was eventually shot and killed by police near the Cinergy entertainment complex in Odessa. The violence began during a routine traffic stop on Interstate 20 and developed into a mobile shooting spree that extended for approximately an hour. Ator initially drove a gold Toyota Camry and later murdered a United States Postal Service employee before stealing her mail vehicle. The moving attack created confusion throughout Midland and Odessa because reports of shootings were arriving from numerous locations and witnesses described two different vehicles.

Events Before the Shooting

Earlier on August 31, Ator had been involved in a dispute connected to his employment with Journey Oilfield Services. He was fired that morning after becoming angry during a work-related confrontation. Police records later indicated that both the company and Ator contacted authorities. Ator reportedly made disorganized allegations that people were stalking, abducting, and persecuting him. Ator also contacted a national law-enforcement tip line shortly before the shooting began. Federal investigators described the call as rambling but said he did not clearly announce an imminent attack during that conversation. Authorities were attempting to identify and locate the caller when the first gunfire was reported.

The Interstate 20 Traffic Stop

At approximately 3:17 p.m. on August 31, Texas Department of Public Safety troopers attempted to stop Ator on Interstate 20 between Midland and Odessa after he failed to properly signal a turn. Before his vehicle came to a complete stop, Ator raised an AR-15-style semiautomatic rifle and fired through the rear window of his car toward the patrol vehicle. Trooper Chuck Pryor was wounded in the attack. Another trooper returned fire, but Ator escaped before officers could establish control of the scene. He continued along Interstate 20, firing into vehicles occupied by people who had no apparent connection to him. Several motorists were struck, and two of the eventual fatalities occurred during the highway portion of the attack. ...

Confirmed Victims: (7)

Rodolfo Rudy Arco 57 yr old Male

Midland–Odessa shootings - Wikipedia