Police in Amarillo, Texas, have launched a public appeal for information after two suspects opened fire at an apartment complex early Saturday, resulting in the deaths of two teenagers and injuries to 10 others. City authorities confirmed the shooting occurred around 2 a.m. at a complex situated near Interstate 40, roughly six miles west of the downtown corridor, and stated that patrol staffing was already on an elevated footing due to recent violence in the region.
The incident marks another fatal episode in a city already grappling with a recent spike in gun violence. Police Chief Thomas Hover noted on Saturday that the department had already increased patrol staffing following separate shootings on March 22 that left six Amarillo residents dead.
Investigators said the individuals involved had previously been at a party at a different location before being asked to leave. They subsequently went to the apartment complex where the shooting took place. Chief Hover said in a statement that the investigation identified an affiliation between the suspects and the targeted location, noting that they were known to at least one of the occupants at the party.
Police released surveillance footage showing two suspects firing at the exterior of an apartment. The video captures immediate yelling and screaming, followed by additional gunshots. Authorities are urging local residents to review doorbell and surveillance camera footage for any unusual activity around the time of the shooting.
Phillip Thrasher, a neighbor at the complex, told KTVT-TV that the scene was chaotic in the moments after the shooting.
“When I looked outside and came outside it was complete chaos,” Thrasher said. “I mean there was kids running everywhere, just screaming and running. They didn’t even know where they were running to, you know. And then moms and dads showed up and came to their kids’ rescues. The ones that could, the ones that couldn’t were so upset. I mean there was nothing you could do.”
Amarillo police confirmed that the victims killed in the shooting were 16 and 17 years old. The department has not released the conditions of the 10 other injured individuals. Officials did not disclose a motive for the attack.
Phone messages left on Sunday for police officials and apartment management were not immediately returned, and further details about the investigation remain under review.