More shooting details emerge

A Texas Ranger said Wednesday the investigation into the fatal shooting of three Odessa police officers may take “a long while” before all questions are answered.

“We don’t have an anticipated date,” Texas Rangers Capt. Barry Caver said. “We’re not going to be in any hurry. There’s still a lot of unanswered questions; we’re going to do our best to find out everything.”

What is known is that OPD responded to a domestic disturbance call Saturday night in the 2900 block of Ventura Avenue and that two officers, Cpl Arlie Jones, 48, and Cpl. John “Scott” Gardner, 30, were virtually ambushed in a backyard.

Both men were shot to death with what Rangers now believe to be a shotgun. Both were shot in the head and died at the scene.

Cpl. Abel Marquez was critically wounded, taken to Medical Center Hospital and later flown to University Medical Center in Lubbock. He remained on life support until he died shortly after 3 p.m. Wednesday

“White may have hidden behind a barbecue pit and shot two officers,” Caver said. “I’m not sure at this point just how accurate that information is — this is what one of the scenarios might be.”

Marquez was shot, Caver said, through a window as he rushed to the backyard to aid Jones and Gardner.

All of the men were shot in the face and head area, Caver said. “We’re unsure of how many rounds he used though.”

Caver said Odessan Larry Neil White, 58, who was treated and released from Medical Center Hospital and then booked into the jail, was shot in the abdomen, but he’s unsure which Odessa SWAT member shot him.

“Now we’re finding out that it looks like three officers shot at him,” he said. “We didn’t recover the actual bullet — it went through.”

White remains in the Ector County Detention Center charged with two counts of capital murder and three counts of attempted capital murder in the deaths of Jones and Gardner. Monday, a judge ruled that he be retained without bond, which initially had been set at $1.75 million.

District Attorney Bobby Bland said Wednesday afternoon that he plans to ask for a third charge of capital murder against White.

White has not been charged in connection with the death of Marquez but District Attorney Bobby Bland said Wednesday he would pursue the additional capital murder charge.

White declined to be interviewed at the Ector County Law Enforcement Center on Tuesday. Efforts to reach his court-appointed attorney, H.W. “Woody” Leverett Jr., were not successful Wednesday.

The officers’ deaths were the first by gunfire in the line of duty in the Odessa department’s history. Two officers died in motorcycle accidents in 1982 and ’88, according to the department’s website.

Previous story

The man accused of killing two Odessa police officers and injuring another didn’t act as if anything was wrong when he was taken away from the crime scene Saturday, a Texas Ranger captain said Tuesday.

Larry Neil White simply asked for his eyeglasses when he was strapped to the gurney, said Capt. Barry Caver, who responded to the scene and whose Ranger unit company is leading the homicide investigation.

“He was told he wasn’t going to need his glasses,” Caver said Tuesday.

Caver also said that White didn’t appear to be in pain despite being shot in his right side. He was inside his home when an as-yet-unidentified officer shot him from outside. The bullet exited White’s body, Caver said, and has not been recovered.

Despite the injury, White appeared stable and acted “like just no big deal,” Caver said.

The investigation into the slaying of corporals Arlie Jones Jr. and John “Scott” Gardner and the shooting of Cpl. Abel Marquez remains in the initial stages, Caver said.

The Rangers will piece together an event timeline through radio and 9-1-1 logs, Caver said, and finish taking statements from witnesses, including other officers who responded to the western Odessa shooting in the 2900 block of Ventura Avenue.

“Typically, we wait 24 hours before taking statements of officers involved, simply because of the trauma,” Caver said. “… Your mind tends to temporary block that information.”

White, 58, faces two capital murder charges and three attempted capital murder charges. With District Judge Stacy Trotter denying his bond, White remains in Ector County Detention Center jail.

White requested an attorney when investigators attempted to interview him Saturday, ending any discussions law enforcement could have with him, Caver said.

Initially autopsy reports indicate Gardner and Jones were shot in the head with a 12-gauge shotgun, Caver said. Marquez was also shot in the head with a shotgun.

Caver couldn’t confirm how many times any officer was shot. An initial witness statement indicated that at least one of the shots was fired from inside the home at the officers, Caver said.

White told Odessa Police Crisis Intervention Unit officers during the standoff that he’d been drinking whiskey, Caver said.

If Medical Center Hospital tested White’s blood-alcohol content, it won’t be available until investigators subpoena the hospital records, Caver said.

A SOMBER MOOD

Odessa police continue to support the Rangers investigation in a secondary role, Chief Chris Pipes said, but the entire department staff is heartbroken over the deaths.

“I’m stunned,” Pipes said. “I feel greatly sorry for the families. I’m struggling not to feel in my heart hatred for this man that sits in jail.”

Assisting the investigation, helping support the grieving families and leading a police department through normal duties helps soothe Pipes’ shocked system.

“Although it’s tempting to sit in the corner and cry for our loss, we have to carry on for the benefit of those families and the benefit of those citizens,” Pipes said.

The department has lost friends, he said, suddenly and tragically. While they train and plan for such traumatic situations, Pipes said the experience isn’t something that is anticipated.

Two other Odessa police officers have died in the line of duty. Cpl. Gordon “G.T.” Toal and Officer Scott Stanton Smith died in separate motorcycle accidents in 1982 and 1987 respectively.

“Even though it’s in the back of your mind every day, this is not supposed to happen here,” Pipes said. “… We’re not a huge city where police officers get shot at frequently.”

LAWYER APPOINTED

Attorney Woody Leverett of Midland was appointed White’s counsel Tuesday morning.

Leverett met with White in jail Tuesday, but he wouldn’t discuss White’s mental state or condition.

“I can’t give you anything at this time,” he said. “I don’t know if I will be able to in the future. I don’t want to try this case in the media.”

Leverett, who is the co-counsel for Leo Angel Luna in his capital murder trial, said he hadn’t talked with White’s wife, Judy.

Repeated efforts to reach Judy White have been unsuccessful.

Larry White declined all media interview requests Tuesday, Ector County Sheriff Mark Donaldson said — but he did meet other visitors during visitation hours.

White remained on close watch Tuesday night, Donaldson said, guarding him against any self-inflicted violence or attacks from others.

“We’re talking about somebody accused of shooting three officers,” Donaldson said. “We want to make sure no one gets back there and hurts him.”

Previous story

While the families of two slain officers prepare to bury their loved ones, and the family of another holds vigil at his hospital bed, the man charged with shooting them sits in jail.

Larry Neil White is charged with two counts of capital murder and three counts of attempted capital murder in the Saturday shooting deaths of Cpl. Arlie Jones Jr. and Cpl. Scott Gardner, as well as the critical injury of Cpl. Abel Marquez.

Monday, District Judge Stacy Trotter denied White’s bond.

“We filed a motion to deny bond against the defendant,” District Attorney Bobby Bland said Monday. “Capital murder is one of the few instances where bail can be denied.”

Sheriff’s Sgt. Gary Duesler said White won’t be able to bail out of the Ector County Detention Center.

Bland said White could possibly face between five to 99 years in jail on the attempted capital murder charges and could receive “life or the death penalty” on the two counts of capital murder.

Bland wouldn’t officially say what penalty he would seek in the White case, but hinted at his personal feelings.

“My role as district attorney is to seek justice, and we will certainly seek justice against this defendant,” he said. “There is a reason for the death penalty.”

While White is sitting in an Ector County Detention Center jail, the Texas Rangers and other area officials are trying to put the pieces of this investigation together.

“Our hands are tied as to what information we can release as this investigation is led by the Texas Rangers,” City public information officer Andrea Goodson said late Monday.

Of those few details released, Deputy Chief Don Orren said the weapon White used to shoot the officers with was not a rifle, as officers first suspected.

Tela Mange, Texas Department of Public Safety public information officer, said she believed the weapon was a shotgun.

She wasn’t sure about the ammunition or the size of the shotgun.

Mange said there would be no other comments until Texas Rangers complete their investigation.

“We’re still awaiting autopsy results and other interviews,” she said.

A benevolence account has been set up for the families of Cpl. Arlie Jones, Cpl. Scott Gardner and for Cpl. Abel Marquez.

To donate, visit

>> Odessa Employee Credit Union.

>> 1006 E. Seventh St.

>> (432) 333-2510.

>> Donations may be made to Account No. 9002668.

>> Kevin P. Morison, director of communications for the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, said Monday that counting Cpl. Arlie Jones and Cpl. Scott Gardner, Texas has had 16 officer deaths so far in 2007.

Funeral arrangements have been finalized for Cpl. Scott Gardner and Cpl. Arlie Jones Jr.

>> Gardner’s funeral will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at First Baptist Church with the Rev. Randy Duckett officiating. Interment will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens.

>> Services for Jones will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at CrossRoads Fellowship, formerly known as Temple Baptist. Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens.

Previous story

Two Odessa police officers are dead and another continues to fight for his life in a Lubbock hospital, but few details have emerged about the man accused of gunning the officers down with a shotgun.

A day after the tragedy unfolded what is known is that veteran officer Cpl. Arlie Jones and Cpl. John “Scott” Gardner were gunned down in a backyard in the 2900 block of Ventura Avenue.

Police say 58-year-old Larry Neil White opened fire with a shotgun killing both men and shooting Cpl. Abel Marquez six times — hitting him five times in the hands and arms and once in the face.

One bullet remains lodged in his hand and one in his neck as he remains hospitalized at Lubbock’s University Medical Center.

Police say this carnage came from a man whom neighbor Raymond Graham considered a quiet guy.

“I had a few beers with him,” Graham said. “He pretty much stayed to himself for the most part.”

Graham said police had been called to the house a few times during the past 10 years. “It was never anything major,” he said.

Graham witnessed the deaths of Gardner and Jones and saw Marquez “holding his face” and struggling before collapsing in Graham’s driveway, which still had blood on it Sunday afternoon.

Efforts to reach White's wife, Judy, were unsuccessful Sunday.

Graham said the pair doesn't have children, but Graham did say White liked guns and hunting and drinking beer.

According to Graham, White was diagnosed with stomach cancer about two years ago and given six months to live, but the disease was in remission.

White suffered an injury to the abdomen, but he was released from MCH Sunday afternoon and booked into the Ector County Detention Center after being charged with two counts of capital murder and three counts of attempted capital murder. As of press time Sunday, no bond had been set.

It was not clear who was able to return fire and hit White or if his injury was indeed a gunshot wound.

Tela Mange, Texas Department of Public Safety public information officer, said in news release that a woman called 9-1-1 and said White had hit her. The call was disconnected, and police were sent to the Ventura Avenue home.

When they arrived, the woman, whom neighbors say is White’s wife, exited the home and told the officers the front door was locked and gave them permission to enter the home from the back door.

Jones and Gardner went around to the back of the house, and White opened fire with a shotgun. The bodies were later recovered from the backyard.

He then retreated back into the house until he peacefully surrendered more than four hours later.

Graham said he witnessed the events. “I came up and a woman was lying against the front wheel of my truck,” he said.

Graham said the woman, White’s wife, asked to use his phone and that he overheard her saying “Larry’s drunk, and they’re going to talk him down,’ ” he said. “And then bam, bam, bam, bam. He opened fire on (the officers),” who had their guns drawn as they made their way into the backyard of White’s home.

He said Marquez was shot when he went to the backyard after hearing the initial gunshots.

“I then saw the other officer go to the backyard,” Graham said. “When he came back he was holding his face.”

Graham said the bodies of Jones and Gardner remained in the backyard for several hours until an armored personnel carrier was used to retrieve them. Both were pronounced dead at the scene. Marquez was taken by EMS to Medical Center Hospital and later taken to Lubbock.

Neighbors on Ventura were still shaken Sunday by violence the night before. Law enforcement officials continue to come to terms with the deaths of the two officers — the first by gunfire in the Odessa Police Department’s history.

“I don’t even know what to say right now,” Sgt. Pete Marquez, brother of wounded Cpl. Abel Marquez, said.

Odessa Police Deputy Chief Lou Orras said Sunday he was still coming to terms with the two deaths and the wounding of Marquez. He praised the three officers as heroes.

“What can you say about any man or woman willing to give their life for someone else?” he said.

Orras said all were hard-working and dedicated officers with a passion for law enforcement. He visited with some family members Sunday, and Odessa police set up liaisons to help the families with funeral arrangements. Orras said the loss is a tragedy for Odessa police and Odessa.

“I’m at a loss for words,” Orras said.

According to a University Medical Center public information officer, Marquez was in critical condition in ICU in the Lubbock hospital.

“He’s not out of the woods yet,” Sgt. Pete Marquez said of his brother. “He may have suffered some brain damage. They counted six gunshot wounds on him — five to hands and arms and one to the face. He still has a bullet lodged in his neck and one in his hand.

“I hope he does pull through, but we don’t know — it’s too early to tell,” he said.

Sgt. Marquez said while police officers are constantly in the line of fire — he never expected it to happen.

“We’re supposed to expect it, but then something like that happens and it’s a shock,” he said.

Odessa police officials haven't released how many guns were found in the home, the 9-1-1 tape or how White was injured.

An Ector County Detention Center employee said White was booked into the Ector County Detention Center shortly after his release from the hospital.

Officials with DPS, Midland police, Ector County Sheriff's Office, Midland County Sheriff's Office and other agencies responded to the scene. Texas Rangers continue to investigate the shootings.

STANDOFF TIMELINE

Timeline of events according to a Texas Department of Public Safety news release and neighbors:

6:15 p.m.Saturday: Police were called to a domestic disturbance at 2912 Ventura Ave., on Odessa’s westside.

A woman who is reported to be the wife of Larry Neil White leaves the house when police arrive and tells them White has hit her. She gives the officers permission to enter the home from the back.

6:30 p.m.: The three officers were shot at in Larry Neil White’s backyard.

Neighbor Raymond Graham said two officers - Cpl. Arlie Jones and Cpl. John “Scott’’ Gardner - remained in White’s backyard until shortly before 10 p.m. when their bodies were retrieved by an armored personnel carrier from Midland. Both were pronounced dead at the scene.

Mintues later: Graham said Cpl. Abel Marquez was transported to Medical Center Hospital.

10:15 p.m.: Larry Neil White, 58, was taken into custody and transported to Medical Center Hospital with a gunshot wound to the abdomen.

2:15 p.m.: White was discharged from Medical Center Hospital.

2:43 p.m.: White was booked into the Ector County Detention Center. He was charged with two counts of capital murder and three counts of attempted capital murder. No bond was set by press time Sunday.

Press time Sunday: Marquez remains in intensive care at University Memorial Hospital in Lubbock and will be in surgery today to remove bullets lodged in his neck and hand.

Original story

Two OPD officers investigating an incomplete 9-1-1 call and a report of shots being fired were gunned down and another was wounded Saturday evening in western Odessa by a man who neighbors described as “mostly keeping to himself.”

Odessa police Cpl. Arlie Jones and Cpl. John “Scott” Gardner were killed Saturday and Cpl. Abel Marquez was fighting for his life after being shot in the face.

Jones had been with OPD for 23 years and was 48, his stepdaughter Shanna Foppiano, 32, said.

“He was very well respected and big in his church (CrossRoad Fellowship, formerly Temple Baptist),” she said. “He was just a big kid at heart, and he loved everybody.”

Foppianno said she was told Jones died inside the home at 2912 Ventura Ave.

“He lost radio contact with OPD, and they couldn’t get to him inside the house for a while.”

The three were shot by a 50-ish white man who neighbors described as possibly a Vietnam veteran who kept to himself and rarely spoke to neighbors, police said.

The home is listed as being owned by Larry White, 58.

The suspect, as of press time, was in stable condition, according to hospital spokeswoman Reneé Henderson Earls, who couldn’t confirm the name of the suspect.

The man held OPD officers, Texas Department of Public Safety officers, ECISD police and Ector County sheriff’s deputies at bay for more than four hours.

Police negotiated with the man who surrendered about 10:27 p.m. and was taken to Medical Center Hospital.

At 11:36 p.m. Saturday, Marquez, who’d been listed in critical condition, was flown by CareStar to University Medical Center in Lubbock.

Earls said he underwent a CT scan and had been stabilized at MCH.

Following the standoff, officers and HazMat continued to work the scene as neighbors who were trapped in their homes during the standoff finally ventured out.

Next door neighbor Stacy Gill said she was just pulling up to her home when the initial shots.

“My family was out in the backyard,” she said.

Gill said her mother told her the suspect was a Vietnam vet.

Dozens of law enforcement officials were on the scene for most of the standoff and the aftermath.

“They were excellent officers,” Lt. Mark Rowden said of the slain and injured officers.

“Anyone who puts on that uniform is pretty awesome,” Cpl. Sherrie Carruth said after the standoff ended.

A visibly shaken OPD Chief Chris Pipes said he would visit the families of the slain officers. Odessa Mayor Larry Melton and City Manager Richard Morton were also on the scene.

“This is a tragic day for Odessa,” Melton said. “Our concern now is for the families of the officers.”

District Attorney Bobby Bland was also at the standoff.

“This is definitely one of the darkest days I've seen in Odessa and as a district attorney,” he said.

Texas Rangers have taken control of the investigation, a routine procedure in cases involving officers and gunfire.

Midland County police officers and Midland County sheriff deputies also assisted in the standoff. An armored personnel carrier from Midland was also brought in during the standoff.