One person was killed and at least 10 others were wounded in a shooting incident in Midland, Texas, on Friday, prompting a large-scale response from law enforcement authorities.

Police initially engaged in a standoff with the suspected gunman, but later confirmed that the incident had been resolved and that the suspect was dead.

Speaking during a press conference, local officials said there were 11 known victims in total, including the person who was killed. Midland Memorial Hospital confirmed it had received nine victims, four of whom were undergoing surgery. Another injured person was transported to a separate medical facility for treatment.

Midland Mayor Lori Blong expressed sympathy for those affected by the tragedy.

“My heart breaks for the victims and their families,” she said, adding that the community was praying for everyone impacted by the violence as well as the first responders who put themselves at risk to protect residents.

Authorities said the incident began in one part of the city before moving to another area near a veterinary hospital, where the standoff ultimately came to an end. Witnesses reported hearing dozens of gunshots during the ordeal.

A local employee working near the scene told reporters that it sounded as though at least 40 rounds had been fired.

Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) teams and multiple law enforcement agencies were deployed to contain the suspect. Shortly afterward, the Midland Police Department announced that the active shooter incident had been resolved and the suspect was confirmed deceased.

Officials have not yet released details regarding the identity or possible motive of the gunman. Information about the victims has also remained limited, although hospital authorities said the five patients not undergoing surgery were listed in stable condition.

Mayor Blong noted that she was not aware of any police officers being injured during the response.

Reacting to the incident, Dan Patrick said Texans were heartbroken by the news and called for prayers for the victims, their families and the Midland community, while also thanking emergency personnel for their bravery.

The latest shooting revives painful memories in Midland, a city of approximately 140,000 residents. In 2019, the community was shaken by another mass shooting when a gunman drove through Midland and nearby Odessa, randomly opening fire and killing seven people while injuring more than two dozen others.

Investigations into Friday’s shooting remain ongoing as authorities work to establish the circumstances surrounding the attack.

Police in South Africa have launched a major manhunt after 12 people were killed and nine others wounded in a mass shooting at an informal settlement in Johannesburg.

The attack occurred late on Tuesday night at the Jumpers Informal Settlement in Cleveland, a suburb east of Johannesburg. According to police, more than 10 heavily armed suspects entered the community and opened fire on residents before escaping in a white Toyota Quantum vehicle.

Authorities said officers responded to reports of an active shooting at about 11:10 p.m. local time. Preliminary investigations indicate that the gunmen were dropped off near a petrol station before entering the settlement through multiple access points and firing at people in different locations.

Police confirmed that eight men and three women died at the scene, while another man later succumbed to his injuries in hospital. At least nine other victims were taken to medical facilities for treatment of gunshot wounds.

Investigators are still working to determine the motive behind the attack. However, members of the local community believe the violence may be linked to ongoing turf wars involving illegal mining groups operating in the area.

During a visit to the scene on Wednesday, provincial police commissioner Tommy Mthombeni said investigators could not rule out a connection to illegal mining activities.

“As you know, this area is adjacent to the illegal mining area. We are having those suspicions,” he told reporters, describing the attack as both “heartless” and “barbaric.”

Illegal mining has become a growing challenge in South Africa, where criminal groups often target abandoned gold mines and sell extracted minerals on the black market. The trade is known for violent rivalries and clashes between competing groups.

The problem has become so serious that earlier this year, Cyril Ramaphosa deployed military personnel to assist efforts aimed at shutting down illegal mining operations in affected communities.

Mass shootings in informal settlements are not uncommon in South Africa and are frequently associated with gang-related violence, criminal disputes, and competition over illicit economic activities. Police have appealed for information from the public as efforts continue to identify and apprehend those responsible for the deadly attack.

A 30-year-old Sudanese man has appeared before a Belfast court charged with attempted murder following a serious knife attack that left a man with life-changing injuries.

Hadi Alodid, of Duncairn Avenue in north Belfast, appeared via video link from Musgrave Serious Crime Suite. He faces charges of attempted murder, possession of a knife in a public place, and making threats to kill an NHS worker.

The charges stem from an incident that occurred on Kinnaird Avenue in north Belfast on Monday night. The victim, a man in his 40s, remains in hospital receiving treatment for severe injuries to his eyes, neck and back.

During court proceedings, it was revealed that the victim lost his left eye as a result of the attack. Alodid was remanded in custody pending further legal proceedings.

The incident was followed by significant disorder in parts of north Belfast on Tuesday night. Emergency services responded to multiple fires, including two vehicles set ablaze, while several properties and rubbish bins were also set on fire.

An African family became trapped inside a house after its windows were smashed during the unrest. Members of the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service, assisted by a local pastor, helped bring the family to safety.

Witnesses reported that one occupant collapsed into the arms of firefighters while being evacuated. Four fire officers carried the individual to a vehicle, while the remaining family members were able to leave the property on foot, though visibly distressed by the ordeal.

Reacting to the violence, Keir Starmer described the scenes in Belfast as “shocking and completely unacceptable.”

In a statement, the Prime Minister said there could be no justification for the violence and disorder that threatened local communities, nor for those who encouraged it either online or elsewhere. He added that it was clear some individuals had been targeted because of their background and stressed that such actions would not be tolerated.

Starmer said those responsible would face the full force of the law and confirmed he had spoken with police, emergency services and political leaders in Northern Ireland. He urged calm and called on the public to allow law enforcement authorities to continue their investigations and restore order.