The shooting spree in Midland and Odessa that killed eight and wounded 25 others, now more than two years ago, will always be remembered, state Sen. Kel Seliger (R-Amarillo) said in a recent social media post.
Selinger used his Twitter post on Tuesday, Aug. 31, the second anniversary of the shooting spree, to recall the dark day,
"It has been two years since the Midland-Odessa shooting, which forever changed our community," Selinger said in his Twitter post. "Seven of our neighbors here in #SD31 had their lives taken that day and I pray for their families. We will always remember and honor the victims who lost their lives as well as their families and so many in our community who were impacted that day. #WestTexasStrong"
The eight people killed included the shooter. It was the third deadliest major mass killing in the U.S. that year.
Seliger represents Texas State District 31, which spans 37 counties from the Panhandle to the Permian Basin and includes Amarillo, Midland, Odessa and Big Spring.
Gov. Greg Abbott also issued a statement on the anniversary, saying the Midland-Odessa community "suffered a horrific tragedy" and that the victims will be remembered.
"This senseless act of violence marked a very dark period for Midland-Odessa, and we will never forget our fellow Texans whose lives were taken that day," Abbott said in his statement. "In the wake of this attack, Texans across our state came together to support their brothers and sisters grieving in Midland and Odessa, and the state took immediate action to help prevent such a tragedy from happening again. Today, and every day, we remember and honor the lives lost in Midland-Odessa two years ago. We also continue to pray for the victims' families and loved ones, and we thank the brave men and women of law enforcement who bravely responded to the attack that day. Together we will continue to work toward a safer and brighter future for all Texans."
Abbott also referred to eight of his executive orders since the shooting that are intended to "keep Texans safe and ensure that tragedies like the one in Midland-Odessa never happen again." Those executive orders direct state law enforcement to enhance anti-mass violence measures, the Texas Safety Commission "to identify any shortcomings in our systems," and to promote the Texas Department of Public Safety's safe gun storage campaign.
The state Legislature has since passed the legislation that increased the penalty for lying on federal background checks, which already was prohibited, to a felony and appropriated funds to promote statewide safe gun storage campaign through 2023, according to the statement.