The police officer who was shot is listed in stable condition in Lubbock.
By Micah Allen
Published: May. 14, 2024 at 7:34 AM CDT|Updated: May. 14, 2024 at 9:04 AM CDT
BIG SPRING, Texas (KOSA) - UPDATE 10:55 AM Tuesday, May 14:
Orlando Montanez has surrendered to authorities peacefully and has been arrested.
This is information released by BSPD:
The Big Spring Police Department has been assisted by the Department of Public Safety Highway Patrol Division and Rangers Division, the Howard County Sheriff’s office and Midland Police Department. An arrest warrant was issued for Orlando Montanez for Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon on a Peace Officer causing serious bodily injury which is a Felony 1 offense. The Big Spring Police Department followed several leads issued to CrimeStoppers but unfortunately was not successful. Throughout the morning a perimeter was maintained in the area of where the incident occurred and at locations officers believed was probable Montanez would be located. At approximately 8:25 A.M., Montanez was seen by a Big Spring Police Department officer, running in the south alley from the 2100 block of Alabama and into a storage shed behind a residence in the 2000 block of Alabama. A perimeter was established by all agencies involved. With the assistance of the Midland Police Department SWAT team Montanez peacefully surrendered at approximately 9:22 A.M. Montanez was found to have suffered non-life-threatening gunshot wounds from the altercation with the original officer and was immediately given medical attention by Big Spring Fire/EMS. Montanez is subsequently being transported to an outside hospital as a precautionary measure and upon his release he will be transported back to Big Spring and charged with this offense.
At the time of this release the Big Spring Police Department officer is in stable condition and we continue to ask for prayers. This is still an active and ongoing investigation, and no further information is available at this time.
UPDATE 9:50 AM Tuesday, May 14:
Howard College reports that the lockdown has been lifted. The campus is safe, according to the school.
The campus and cottage will open at 10:00 a.m. Employees are told to report for duty no later than 10:30 a.m.
As of the last update, authorities are still working to find the suspect who shot a Big Spring police officer Tuesday morning.
CBS7 will continue to update this story as we learn more.
UPDATE 9:00 AM Tuesday, May 14:
The Texas Department of Public Safety has issued a ‘Blue Alert’ for the shooting suspect, Orlando Montanez.
He is still on the run and is described as the following:
- Age 42
- Height: 5′11″
- Weight: 250 Lbs.
- Eyes: Brown
- Hair: Black
- Last seen wearing a black sweatshirt and gray sweatpants
ORIGINAL POST:
Police in Big Spring are searching for a suspect after he’s accused of shooting an officer Tuesday morning.
On May 14 at around 1:50 A.M., Howard County Sheriff’s Department deputies and Big Spring Police Department officers were called to Crossroads bar about a man who had shown a gun.
While on the way, dispatch told officers the suspect had left in a dark blue car. Officers entered the area and found a vehicle matching the description. They then tried a traffic stop. The driver refused to stop, and a chase was started. The chase ended when the car crashed into a fence near the intersection of Barnes and S. Monticello. A Big Spring Police Department officer ordered the driver out of the vehicle and was shot by the driver of the car. The officer fired back on the vehicle’s driver and then took cover behind the patrol vehicle. The driver of the car then ran away from the scene.
There is a strong presence of law enforcement in the neighborhood trying to find the suspect, and law enforcement requests the public to stay away from the area. The Big Spring Police Department officer has been flown to UMC Lubbock for serious injuries. Out of respect for the officer’s family, the officer’s name is not being released right now.
The Big Spring Independent School District and Howard College have been notified of this active scene and have taken precautionary measures.
The Texas Department of Public Safety Texas Rangers Division is assisting the Big Spring Police Department with this officer-involved shooting.
Law Enforcement is currently searching for Orlando Montanez ( Hispanic/Male 42 years of age) Anyone knowing Montanez’s whereabouts is urged to contact Howard County dispatch at 432-264-2244 or Crime Stoppers at (432)263-TIPS (8477). You can also leave an anonymous tip using the “P3 Tips” mobile application or from this web address.
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