Full Breakdown
Two Teens Killed, Ten Injured in Early-Morning Shooting at Amarillo Apartment Complex
5/3/2026, 9:47:10 AM
Amarillo Apartment Shooting Claims Two Teens Dead
Around 1:58 a.m. on May 2, 2026, gunfire broke out at the Westminster Apartments (2415 Coulter Street) in Amarillo. Police say a rifle-style weapon killed 17-year-old Ezekiel Rudy Almazan and an unnamed 16-year-old, and injured ten others.
Context: Rising Violence and Police Initiatives in Amarillo
Amarillo recorded 16 homicides in 2025 and ten so far in 2026. A March 22 spate of six killings prompted the department to boost patrols, partner with neighboring sheriff’s offices, and launch a new gang unit to curb gun violence.
Key Individuals
Victims were 17-year-old Ezekiel Rudy Almazan and an unnamed 16-year-old male. Police have identified two unnamed suspects believed to know at least one party attendee. Chief Thomas Hover leads the Amarillo Police Department; ABC 7 photojournalist Steve Douglass reported hearing the gunfire.
Chronology of the Night
Police received a call just before 2 a.m., arrived, and heard rapid “machine-gun fire.” Victims were taken to hospitals; one died on scene, another later. By afternoon APD confirmed two deaths, ten injuries, and recovered a Glock 9 mm handgun on a landing. The department later urged residents to submit doorbell-camera footage.
Numbers
Fatalities: 2. Injured: 10 (including gunshot wounds). Suspects: 2, ages unknown. Weapons: rifle-style firearm and a Glock 9 mm handgun; cartridge casings suggest multiple weapons. City homicide totals: 16 in 2025; 10 in 2026.
Official Responses
Chief Hover said the suspects “had an affiliation with the targeted location and were known to one of the occupants,” calling the act “unacceptable.” APD pledged to protect community and asked public for video that might capture the shooters.
Community Concerns
Residents voiced alarm over frequent shootings and lack of arrests, urging faster suspect identification and broader preventive measures. The police request for doorbell-camera footage reflects community pressure for accountability.
Conflicting Reports
Early reports listed one death and nine injuries; later updates revised the count to two deaths and ten injuries. Some outlets named only Almazan, leaving the second victim unnamed. Weapon descriptions differ between a “rifle-style” firearm and a recovered Glock 9 mm handgun, and investigators have not disclosed a motive.
Verbatim Quotes
- “machine gun fire” — Steve Douglass, ABC 7 Amarillo photojournalist
- “This criminal behavior is unacceptable, and the Amarillo Police Department and our regional law enforcement partners are committed to the safety of our community,” — Thomas Hover, Police Chief
- “There are no words that can truly express the pain in my heart right now. Ezekiel was more than my son—he was my joy, my strength, and a beautiful blessing in my life. Anyone who knew him knows how much love he carried and how deeply he touched the people around him.” — Mother of Ezekiel Rudy Almazan (GoFundMe)
- “attempted to enter an apartment and opened fire using a rifle-style weapon.” — Amarillo Police Department statement
Next Steps: Ongoing Investigation and Police Initiatives
APD will keep gathering video evidence, pursue the two suspects, and expand its gang-unit operations. The department plans regular updates as new information emerges, while city officials monitor the broader trend of violent crime in Amarillo.
