ECTOR COUNTY, Texas — An update has emerged on the Odessa Walmart shooting, early Tuesday morning.
According to an Ector County Sheriff's Office Facebook Post a man identified as Marcus O'Neal Thomas opened fire at an Odessa Walmart.
The incident happened early Tuesday morning at approximately 3:45 a.m. A pursuit unfolded after deputies attempted to perform a traffic stop on the vehicle Thomas was driving in the 4900 block of County Road west. Thomas then failed to yield, and a pursuit was initiated.
This pursuit was terminated at 11300 block of West Rolling Hills, where Thomas was still refusing to follow authority's commands
According to ECSO, Yvan, a K-9 from ESCO was deployed, who was a three-year veteran successfully engaged the suspect, upon the heroic actions of K-9 Yvan, Thomas was taken into custody.
According to the news release, the K-9 was assaulted multiple times by Thomas; being "struck" multiple times in the face and even had his head slammed in a car door.
Investigators say Yvan had no injuries thanks to his resilience and training. No officers were injured during the incident.
Thomas was treated at Medical Center Hospital for a dog bite sustained during the pursuit. He was later taken to the Ector County Law Enforcement Center facing multiple charges including three counts of Deadly Conduct with a Firearm, Evading Arrest in a Motor Vehicle, and Interference with a Police Service Animal Criminal Mischief.
According to the news release this was a coordinated effort between ESCO K-9 team, Ector County Deputies, the University of Texas Permian Basin Police department and the Odessa Police Department.
