Crime
Lockdown at Odessa Nimitz Middle School Lifted Following Hoax Threat
Students at Nimitz Middle School are being released one at a time to parents.
Odessa, TX – The scene at Nimitz Middle School has been cleared, and there was no evidence of a gun or shooter. The Ector County Independent School District (ECISD) has lifted the lockdown.
Parents can now pick up their children from the school. Police are investigating the incident as a hoax intended to cause panic.
The district commends Nimitz parents for their calm and patience during the lockdown.
According to reports, students at Nimitz Middle School were released one at a time to parents. The lockdown was initiated after ECISD received reports of someone with a gun on campus.
However, the district could not verify the authenticity of the report at the time.
The Odessa Police Department (OPD) responded to the scene with multiple units to assist with crowd control.
A Pennsylvania State Police trooper was shot and killed during a traffic stop in Chester County on Sunday night, authorities confirmed.
The fallen officer was identified as Timothy O’Connor, a corporal with the Pennsylvania State Police.
Officials said O’Connor is survived by his wife, Casey, and their young daughter, along with his parents, Maureen and Tim.
Shortly after midnight Monday, Josh Shapiro, governor of Pennsylvania, announced the tragic news and ordered flags across the commonwealth to be lowered to half-staff in honor of Corporal O’Connor’s service and sacrifice.
According to George L. Bivens, acting commissioner of the Pennsylvania State Police, the incident began at approximately 8:16 p.m. Sunday when O’Connor responded to a report of an erratic driver in the Honey Brook area of Chester County.
Authorities said O’Connor located the vehicle and initiated a traffic stop around 8:24 p.m. near the intersection of Route 10 and Michael Road in West Caln Township.
After the vehicle pulled over, O’Connor radioed in the stop — which would be the last communication officials received from him.
Investigators said that when O’Connor approached the driver’s side window, the suspect opened fire, shooting the trooper.
Police said the suspect, identified as a 32-year-old man from Chester County, then exited the vehicle, walked a short distance away, and took his own life at the scene.
When O’Connor failed to respond to follow-up radio calls, other troopers immediately rushed to the area, where they discovered the tragic situation.
O’Connor was transported to Paoli Hospital, but he succumbed to his injuries shortly after arrival.
Governor Shapiro later said he visited the hospital with O’Connor’s family following the tragedy.
“My heart breaks for Tim and Casey’s young daughter and their entire family,” Shapiro said. “Lori and I mourn with the Pennsylvania State Police family and with all of our law enforcement partners.”
Authorities closed Route 10 between Hill Road and Lammey Road in West Caln Township as investigators processed the scene and gathered evidence.
Law enforcement officials and community members across the state have expressed condolences to O’Connor’s family, fellow troopers, and loved ones as they mourn the loss of a dedicated officer who died in the line of duty.
Officials said additional details will be released as the investigation continues.