Shortly after 2:00 a.m. on a Sunday morning, gunfire shattered the quiet of a West Amarillo apartment complex. The Westminster Apartments at 2415 Coulter Street, near Westgate Parkway, became the scene of a mass shooting that left two people dead and eight others wounded. Police arrived to find victims scattered across the property, some already down, others screaming for help.
One person was pronounced dead at the scene. Another was rushed to a local hospital but could not be saved. The surviving eight were transported to area medical centers. In the immediate aftermath, at least five of them were listed in critical condition. The identity of one deceased victim was released: Ezekiel Rudy Almazan. The name of the second fatality has not yet been made public.
Investigators soon pieced together a sequence of events that began elsewhere. According to Amarillo police, a gathering involving juveniles and young adults had taken place at another location earlier in the night. Several people were asked to leave that event. Instead of dispersing, they followed others to the Westminster Apartments.
Once there, the group attempted to force their way into an apartment unit. When entry was blocked, they opened fire. Witnesses described the sound as prolonged and intense. One resident said they were jolted awake by what seemed like machine gun fire, followed by dozens more shots. The attack did not last long, but it left lasting damage.
Investigators recovered cartridge casings in an alley south of the complex. The evidence suggested multiple weapons had been used. A Glock 9mm handgun was found on a landing outside Apartment 244. No weapons were recovered directly from any suspects. Police believe at least two shooters were involved and that the attack may have been targeted rather than random.
No arrests have been announced. The Amarillo Police Department has not released suspect descriptions. But detectives are actively reviewing surveillance footage from the area and interviewing witnesses. They have asked residents in the Belmar community to check doorbell cameras and residential security systems for any unusual activity during the early morning hours.
The investigation remains open. The complex is quieter now. But the people who live there say they hear the gunfire every time they close their eyes.