ECTOR COUNTY, Texas (KMID/KPEJ)- UPDATED: The Texas Department of Public Safety has identified the suspect accused of killing a West Odessa man earlier this week as 26-year-old Trevor James Myrick, of Hobbs, New Mexico.
DPS also detailed more about the investigation, which ended Tuesday afternoon after Myrick was shot and killed by law enforcement.
Around 10:30 a.m. on April 15, law enforcement officers from the Ector County Sheriff’s Officeresponded to the scene of a murder at a residence in Ector County. Upon arrival, the preliminary investigation determined that Myrick confronted the victim, 74-year-old Ronald Wayne Irwin, and killed him. Investigators initially believed Irwin was shot in that altercation, but later said it was possible that Irwin was hit and killed by Myrick as he left the scene in Irwin’s Ford Mustang.
The stolen vehicle was located later that day by law enforcement, and Myrick then led authorities from multiple agencies on a cross-county pursuit that concluded in Irion County on RM 2469, approximately five miles northwest of Mertzon. Myrick then crashed the vehicle and ran, leading to a multi-agency manhunt that lasted throughout the night and into the next day.
Around 4:00 p.m. on April 16, DPS troopers found Myrick near the intersection of Duncan Avenue and North Broadway Street in Mertzon and an officer-involved shooting took place. Myrick was killed in that shooting and the Texas Rangers have taken over the investigation.
The manhunt for the suspect wanted in connection with murder in Ector County has ended, according to a Texas Department of Public Safety spokesperson.
The man, who has not been publicly identified, died following an officer-involved shooting earlier today. The Texas Rangers have taken over the investigation.
Sheriff Mike Griffis confirmed Tuesday afternoon that there is a “man down” in the search for a wanted fugitive but did not yet know yet know if the person shot was the suspect at the center of this search.
We will update as soon as confirmation is available.
Irion County ISD is on “lockdown” after shots were fired in the ongoing search for a wanted homicide suspect.
Witnesses at the scene said they saw ambulances arrive, as well as a medical examiner, and that DPS troopers have secured an area with crime scene tape. These details have not been confirmed by law enforcement and no other details have been released.
The Ector County Sheriff’s Office has identified the victim in a homicide linked to a suspect who is still on the run as 74-year-old Ronald Wayne Irwin. Sheriff Mike Griffis said Irwin confronted the suspect Monday morning after the unidentified suspect approached his home and asked to borrow a phone.
Initially believed to be a shooting, Griffis said investigators now believe that the suspect stole the victim’s vehicle and ran him over as he left the scene. An autopsy is pending to confirm the cause of death.
There have been no true updates to the whereabouts of the suspect, who has been on the run for well over 24 hours, however, Griffis said he was last seen in a pasture in Irion County, near Mertzon, yesterday afternoon; it’s an area thick with trees and vegetation, giving the suspect ample place to hide.
Griffis said the suspect has been tentatively identified by law enforcement officials, but until they have confirmation, his name will not be released.
The investigation and the search is ongoing.
The Texas Department of Public Safety released a description of the wanted suspect this morning: white male, thin build, wearing blue jeans, brown boots, and has blonde or light brown hair.
Sgt. Blanco said he is armed and should be considered dangerous. He also said this about the ongoing search, “The homicide suspect from Ector County is still at-large in Irion County in the area of RM 2469 near the city of Mertzon. All available DPS assets are being utilized to assist with the search for the suspect. We are advising the public to remain vigilant by keeping homes and vehicles locked. Please report any suspicious activity to law enforcement.”
Anyone with information is asked to call the Irion County Sheriff’s Office at (325) 835-2551.
As of Tuesday morning, the search was ongoing for a man wanted in connection with an Odessa murder, and numerous other crimes.
Sgt. Steven Blanco with the Texas Department of Public Safety said the suspect is still at large, believed to be on foot, and still believed to be in Irion County.
Mertzon mayor, Aubrey Stewart said in a social media post, “As of about 4:30 this morning law enforcement is still searching for the suspect. They will be doing a grid search come daylight. There should be an increase in law enforcement with the search. Suspect is still suspected to be around the S curve on 2469 a few miles from Mertzon. If you can avoid going down 2469, please do so. Please remain vigilant with vehicles locked and houses locked and please continue to stay indoors. Again, please refrain from rubbernecking, which could distract from the search.”
The search for a wanted fugitive continued Monday evening for a man wanted in connection with a carjacking and West Odessa homicide.
Authorities said they believe the suspect is now on foot in Irion County off Ranch Road 2469; helicopters were spotted in the air this afternoon as both ground and aerial searches continue.
Now Ector County Sheriff Mike Griffis has revealed new details about the homicide investigation.
Griffis said the suspect stole a car in Lea County, New Mexico and ended up in West Odessa, where he reportedly approached a home in the 5700 block of Greenway and asked to borrow a phone. When the homeowners said no, Griffis said a struggle ensued between the 75-year-old victim and the suspect.
Initially, investigators said they believed the suspect shot the victim amid that altercation, but Griffis said he now believes that the victim was run over by the fleeing suspect. Investigators are now awaiting the results of an autopsy to confirm that information.
Law enforcement agencies said a homicide suspect wanted in connection with a Monday morning homicide in West Odessa and a multi-county police pursuit is now believed to be on foot.
Investigators said he abandoned the tan Tahoe he was last seen driving after he crashed .
He’s thought to be several miles northwest of Mertzon in Irion County. The search for the suspect is ongoing.
Ector County Sheriff Mike Griffis said a wanted suspect involved in a multi-county police pursuit has abandoned his Ford Mustang and has been spotted in a tan colored Chevrolet Tahoe.
Griffis said law enforcement officials are still in pursuit.
The Midland Police Department confirmed that the suspect involved in a recent homicide and carjacking incident has been spotted headed toward Tom Green County (San Angelo area).
Officers in Reagan County are actively in pursuit of this suspect.
The suspect earlier Monday had been traveling roads around Midland County, including FM 1788 between Business 20 and State Highway 191, according to reports.
It is believed that the suspect is driving a black 2014 Ford Mustang GT Convertible with license plate TX/CLP0753.
Ector County Sheriff Mike Griffis confirmed a suspect involved in a police pursuit Monday morning is believed to be connected to a homicide in West Odessa.
According to ECSO, around 10:20 a.m. on April 15, an unknown white male approached a homeowner in the 5700 block of Greenway and asked a woman living there to use the phone. Griffis said the woman asked the man to leave the property and a struggle ensued between the suspect and the woman’s husband.
During the struggle, Griffis said the suspect shot and killed the homeowner and left the scene in a stolen black Ford Mustang that had been carjacked in Eunice, New Mexico.
The same suspect was later accused of shooting at another victim near the area of Highway 80 and Faudree Road.
We will continue updating this story as more information becomes available.
The Midland Police Department said it is trying to help locate a recent homicide and carjacking and believes the suspect involved in a high-speed chase in Odessa may be connected with those crimes.
Law enforcement officials are currently seeking the public’s assistance in locating a black 2014 Ford Mustang GT Convertible with license plate TX/CLP0753. The vehicle is believed to be connected to a recent homicide and carjacking incident in the Odessa area.
Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of the aforementioned vehicle is urged to contact the local authorities immediately. The vehicle is considered to be dangerous, and individuals are advised not to approach it if spotted.
“Please help law enforcement in their efforts to apprehend the suspect and bring justice to the victims of these crimes”, MPD said in a news release. “We appreciate the cooperation and support of the community in this matter. Together, we can work towards ensuring the safety and security of our neighborhoods. Thank you for your attention and assistance in this urgent matter.”
MPD said that, at this time, there is no threat to the City of Midland, and MPD continues to monitor the situation and is deploying personnel to keep Midlanders safe.
Local law enforcement officials are currently pursuing a suspect accused of shooting at someone near Highway 80 and Faudree road.
The pursuit began around 10:50 a.m. on April 15 when officers were flagged down on Highway 80 and Faudree by an alleged victim who said they’d been shot at by a fleeing vehicle. Investigators then began searching for the suspect vehicle, a black Ford Mustang, that is currently evading police.
The Odessa Police Department said this is a “fluid scene” that also involves an investigation with the Ector County Sheriff’s Office. The public should be aware that there is an active search for the 2014 Mustang two-door with license plate CLP053.
Meanwhile, all Ector County ISD schools were placed in “secure” amid the ongoing pursuit, which means students and staff will remain indoors and no one may enter or exit a campus until the secure is lifted but business inside the school will continue as normal. ECISD said no threats were made to any of the schools but district leaders will be “very cautious” as the day progresses; that secure status was lifted about an hour ago.
