EL PASO, Texas — A deadly shooting unfolded near the El Paso Police Headquarters on Wednesday, leaving three people dead, including the suspected gunman, and one other victim injured. Authorities have identified the shooter as 28-year-old Uriel Ontiveros, who died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound during the incident. The attack has left the community shaken and investigators searching for answers.
Police confirmed the victims as 21-year-old Mia Molina and 27-year-old Victoria Whitman, both of whom succumbed to their injuries after being rushed to area hospitals. A 59-year-old man was also shot and remains hospitalized as he continues to receive treatment. His name has not been released. Emergency responders said all four individuals were transported quickly, but only one survived the violence.
According to the El Paso Police Department, officers responded after multiple 911 calls reported gunfire erupting outside the city’s main police building. When they arrived, they found the four victims suffering from gunshot wounds. Investigators later determined Ontiveros had turned the gun on himself, dying at the scene. The circumstances leading up to the shooting remain under investigation.
Detectives have not yet revealed whether the suspect had a prior connection to the victims. Authorities are reviewing surveillance footage, gathering forensic evidence, and interviewing witnesses to reconstruct the sequence of events. Officials stressed that the motive has not been established, and they are working to determine whether the shooting was random or targeted. The case remains classified as a homicide-suicide while detectives continue their review.
The proximity of the incident to the police headquarters has heightened concerns across El Paso. Residents expressed disbelief that such violence could unfold in an area typically seen as secure. Local leaders acknowledged the community’s grief and fear, while encouraging the public to share any information that might assist detectives. Counselors and support resources are being made available to the victims’ families and others directly impacted.
For the loved ones of Molina and Whitman, the tragedy has brought unimaginable grief, cutting short two young lives. Meanwhile, the surviving victim’s recovery offers a small measure of hope amid heartbreak. Authorities have promised to provide updates as the investigation progresses, emphasizing their commitment to transparency and justice. For now, the city mourns another devastating act of gun violence that has left families shattered and a community in search of answers.