The Odessa Police Department issued a press release on Wednesday afternoon that the double shooting last week has been ruled a homicide-suicide.
The reported double shooting happened Nov. 11 in the 900 block of West 40th Street, the press release stated. Officers responded and found two individuals, identified as 21-year-old Adan Barrientos Barrera Jr. and 28-year-old Heather Leann Hernandez Rodriguez.
Investigation reportedly showed that Barrera was operating a 1998 green GMC pick-up traveling west in the 900 block of West 40th Street. Barrera’s truck struck the front end of Rodriguez’s vehicle, as she was driving east in the 900 block of West 40th Street.
Barrera exited his vehicle, while it was still in motion and began shooting in the direction of Rodriguez’s vehicle striking her front windshield multiple times, the OPD press release stated. Barrera’s vehicle came to rest after it struck a parked unoccupied vehicle.
Barrera then reportedly shot and killed himself.
The bodies of Rodriguez and Barrera were sent to South Plains Forensic Pathology for autopsy, the press release stated.
The preliminary autopsy reportedly showed that Rodriguez was shot and killed by Barrera. Rodriguez’s death has been ruled a homicide, while Barrera’s death was a result of a single gunshot wound inflicted on himself and ruled a suicide.
When the Odessa American emailed OPD Public Relations Manager Monica Quintero about if the two knew each other prior to the shooting, she responded with “The information released is all we’re releasing at this time.”
