The horrific tragedy of two years ago has left scars on the community.
But the message Tuesday night was one of hope and healing for all of Odessa.
On Tuesday, a live streaming tribute was held on the Family Resiliency Center of the Permian Basin’s Facebook page to honor the victims of the tragic shooting that took place in 2019.
Two years ago, on Aug. 31, seven people were killed and 25 others were injured when Seth Ator took to the streets of Odessa and parts of Midland, shooting at random people before law enforcement shot him to death near Cinergy Theatre.
In Tuesday’s live stream, many members of the community were featured, as they spoke to a population that’s still reeling from the events.
The theme throughout the video was Hope and Healing.
“We understand that this is a very traumatic event and grief is very individualized,” Family Resiliency Center Coordinator Chandra Coleman said. “We’re not here to tell anyone how to grieve. But we do want to offer a message that hope and healing are possible and as we rely on each other as we seek appropriate care and as we continue to come together.”
District Judge Sara Kate Billingsley described Odessa as “having the most wonderful people, who are the backbone of Texas.”
“August 31 was a life-changer,” Billingsley said. “It was surreal. We can remember where we were and what we were doing. … We have each other. We attended funerals for strangers and came together as a community because there is always hope.”
First responders were also acknowledged for their work on that fateful day.
“It was our first responders, those who come to work day after day and do their jobs,” Billingsley said. “It wasn’t FEMA or federal funding that helped the families. It was the community. You all did it with honor, love and compassion.”
Odessa Police Chief Michael Gerke also spoke during the event.
“All of us that were involved in the incidents are forever linked,” Gerke said. “I think those families and people who have passed will be a part of us. … I just want you to remember that we were Odessa strong then and we will always be Odessa strong.”
Ector County Sheriff Mike Griffis ehoed some of Gerke’s comments.
“Odessa has changed a lot over the years,” Griffis said. “What I’ve learned in my lifetime is that we’ve always been Odessa strong. … We have the best people here in Odessa, in my belief. I’m blessed to live here and blessed to have you as my neighbors.”
Executive director of Odessa Arts Randy Ham talked about the upcoming Bright Stars Memorial that will be at UTPB by the end of 2022.
“This will be the most significant piece of public art that we will ever have in the community but it’s the one I wish I never had to do,” Ham said. “I can’t imagine what it’s like for other people. I want to say thank you to the community and allowing Odessa Arts to be a part of the healing process and allowing an artist to come down here and make a piece of art that we can all be proud of.”
Odessa Mayor Javier Joven spoke of forgiveness and moving during the ceremony where moments of silence were reserved for each of the seven victims.
Coleman also spoke about unity.
“On Sept. 1, 2019, the community came together,” Coleman said of the day after the shooting. “We really want people to remember that moment when unity was at the forefront of everyone’s mind so we can continue to heal because the grieving process is far from over for many people.”
The center was planning to host an in-person, private ceremony for the families who have lost loved ones but those plans were changed because of the recent rise in COVID cases.
A private, virtual ceremony was still held for just the families of the shooting victims right before the public event on Facebook.
“We usually do a small private ceremony for the families of those who are deceased and those who were injured but survived,” Coleman said. “So us and Odessa Arts and the City of Odessa and UTPB, Odessa Police Department were trying to do something in-person and when the decision was made to cancel that, we decided to expand our original event. We don’t have the capacity to hold a whole community at the center (but) we always intend to do something private for the families.”
The Family Resiliency Center of the Permian Basin was created through partnerships in Odessa and Midland to serve as a long-term resource for healing following the tragedy of Aug. 31, 2019.
“This is what we exist to do, to help this community grow through the trauma of August 2019,” Coleman said. “We are really excited to be able to do it and humbled at the opportunity for these people to come and trust us to remember their loved ones and celebrate the ones who are still with us.”
More information on the Family Resiliency Center can be found at their website at https://www.frcpb.org/ or by calling them at 432-848-6944.
Statement from the governor: Earlier in the day, Texas governor Greg Abbott gave a statement on the shooting.
“Two years ago today, the Midland-Odessa community suffered a horrific tragedy when a shooter took the lives of seven innocent Texans and injured dozens more,” Abbott said. “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. 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.”
August Pfluger statement: On Tuesday, Congressman August Pfluger (Tx-11) issued a statement on the second anniversary of the shooting.
“Today marks two years since our West Texas community was rocked by a senseless tragedy that took seven lives and forever changed countless others,” Pfluger said in the statement. “The heartbreak of that day is permanently etched in our minds and our hearts. Today we pause to remember and honor those we lost and stand with their families and loved ones. Our community remains indebted to our law enforcement officers and first responders who bravely ran into the line of fire. May the peace of God be with everyone who is hurting. God bless Texas.”
Brooks Landgraf statement: State Representative Brooks Landgraf (R-Odessa) also gave a statement on Tuesday.
“Two years ago today, our communities in Odessa and Midland were beset by a force of evil when a mobile rampage indiscriminately killed seven innocent lives and left countless families grieving in the wake,” Landgraf said. “But in the face of such daunting darkness, the people of West Texas emerged as a bright light for all the world to see. Kind people from all across our communities—and all across this state— gave anything and everything they had—including their own blood—to help strangers that day in a desperate time of need, and they did so without batting an eye. Because the Permian Basin, even surrounded by a fury of unspeakable chaos, stood strong and responded with might in true Texas spirit. Please pray for all of the survivors and emergency responders of the August 31, 2019 shooting. We pray that they find healing and strength. We pray for the families of those we lost that day, the ones whose names will forever be etched in our hearts: Edwin Peregrino, Joe Griffith, Kameron Brown, Leilah Hernandez, Mary Granados, Raul Garcia and Rodolfo Arco.”
