The yellow flags went up last week at Memorial Gardens Park at 42nd Street and JBS Parkway.
Meant as a way to honor those who were lost, the flags perhaps remind motorists that something happened here. Something awful and tragic. But also something that brought many in Odessa together to help others on that fateful day and in the weeks and months that followed.
There is no public memorial scheduled this year to come together and remember or pray. COVID-19’s continuing battering of Odessa has taken that opportunity away. There will be an online event and, of course, the flags at the park, which give an opportunity for Odessans to take a moment and remember during any time on this dark anniversary.
It’s hard to believe it has already been two years since the lives of so many were shattered on a single Saturday afternoon in the Permian Basin.
Seven people were killed and 25 others injured after 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.
So many first responders and citizens that day selflessly put themselves in harm’s way to help others. We know of many heroic stories about the unnamed cop or fireman or good citizen who jumped into action when help was needed.
And help didn’t just come on Aug. 31, 2019, the day of the shootings. Help has come repeatedly through fundraisers and blood drives and memorials.
None of that can ever bring back a lost loved one or erase the trauma of an injury from that dark day. But it does show the love of a community for others and the desire to help others through a terrible ordeal.
Funds have already been raised for a public memorial to the victims through Odessa Arts. Now, The University of Texas Permian Basin continues to raise funds for the park that will house the memorial. The park will be located at the corner of 42nd and JBS on UTPB land, which will be turned into a public park.
What’s happening today
A live streaming tribute ceremony to the victims of a tragic shooting spree two years ago will be hosted on the Family Resiliency Center of the Permian Basin’s Facebook page from 6 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
The event, which the public is invited to tune into, will feature speeches from several community members who will also participate virtually, Family Resiliency Center Coordinator Chandra Coleman said.
“We want the community to have a way to participate and experience hope and healing,” Coleman said.
The Center was planning to host an in-person, private ceremony for families who lost loved ones in the shooting, but those plans were changed due to concerns over the recent spike in COVID cases, Coleman said.
A private, virtual ceremony will be held for just the family of the shooting victims prior to the public event on Facebook, Coleman said.
A video tribute created by the city’s communications department to honor the victims, will make its premiere at the conclusion of the ceremony, Coleman said.
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.
For more information about the center’s services call 432-848-6944.
The Victims
DECEASED
>> Leilah Hernandez, 15, Odessa.
>> Joe Griffith, 40, Odessa.
>> Mary Granados, 29, Odessa.
>> Edwin Peregrino, 25, Odessa.
>> Rodolfo Julio Arco, 57, Odessa.
>> Kameron Karltess Brown, 30, Brownwood.
>> Raul Garcia, 35, El Paso.
INJURED
>> Nathan Hernandez, 18, Odessa.
>> Marc Gonzales, 38, Odessa.
>> Zachary Owens, Midland Police Department.
>> Timmothy Beard, 55, San Antonio.
>> James Santana, Odessa Police Department.
>> Glenda Dempsy, 62, Odessa.
>> Marco Corral, 62, San Diego, CA.
>> Coy Edge, 53, Odessa.
>> Joseph Glide, 60, Odessa.
>> Anderson Davis, 17 months, Odessa.
>> Daniel Munoz, 28, Yuma, AZ.
>> Robert Cavasoz, 38, Alice, TX.
>> Maria Boado, 27, Haileah, FL.
>> Efe Obayagbona, 45, Round Rock, TX.
>> Bradley Grimsley, 64, Clarksville, TX.
>> Chuck Pryor, Texas Department of Public Safety.
>> Timmothy Hardaway, 54, Brownwood.
>> Quadri Fatai, 41, Houston.
>> Jesus Alvidrez, 21, Gardendale.
>> Lilia Diaz, 46, Odessa.
>> Krystal Lee, 36, Odessa.
>> Larry Shores, 34, Abilene.
>> Coltyn Reyenga, 9, Odessa.
>> Penny Moore, 55, Odessa.
>> Wanda Silvas, 74, Odessa.
