ODESSA, Texas — The Odessa Police Department is investigating a shooting that happened around 6:30 p.m. on Thursday near Comanche Trail Park.
According to OPD, officers responded to shots fired calls in the area of Ector Junior High. As they arrived on the scene, they saw a gray Chrysler 300 speeding and began following it. The 300 drove to the south parking lot of Medical Center Hospital.
One passenger in the Chrysler, identified as 19-year-old Elgin Minjarez, suffered a gunshot wound.
A second car, a silver Malibu, drove to the north side of the ER with another gunshot victim. That victim was a 16-year-old boy who had non-life-threatening injuries.
Investigation revealed that the shooting occurred in the area of Dwayne Street and Milton Avenue.
Officers found over 40 shell casings at the scene of the shooting.
Investigators with the Criminal Investigation Unit and Crime Scene Unit are still piecing together what happened.
In a press conference Friday, Odessa Police Chief Mike Gerke said there is some indication that the suspects and victims were meeting up for illegal sale of some kind.
Gerke said the victims and witnesses who were with victims are being uncooperative.
At the time of the press conference, the victims did not wish to press charges. However, Gerke said the district attorney’s office can choose to move forward with charges without their cooperation.
He went on to say there could be gun charges involved.
“Let’s be honest,” Gerke said. “This shooting happened by a park that was full of kids. Somebody’s got to pay for what happened here.”
Anyone with information on the shooting is encouraged to call Odessa Crime Stoppers at 432-333-TIPS.