According to Sgt. Tony Everett, public information officer with the BSPD, a report of a gunshot wound was called in to dispatchers at approximately 5:26 p.m.

“The call was in reference to a gunshot victim located at the 7-Eleven convenience store at Highway 80 and Willia,” said Everett. “Upon arrival, officers found that a subject in a red Camaro had been shot. He was immediately transported by ambulance to the emergency room at Scenic Mountain Medical Center.”

Everett said that was as far as the wounded subject would cooperate with officers.

“The subject who was wounded is a known gang member and refused to cooperate,” said Everett. “It appeared to officers the shooting happened on Eighth Street, between Creighton and Lorilla. The victim’s injuries were not life-threatening and he refused to press charges or assist in the investigation.”

While the wounded subject’s refusal to cooperate could well have been the end of the investigation, Everett said officers were once again called to the area where the shooting was believed to have occurred.

“That evening detectives with the BSPD were monitoring activity in that area,” said Everett. “At about 12:18 a.m. officers heard numerous shots, and within seconds arrived at the intersection of Eighth Street and Creighton.

“The officers were told no one was hit by bullets and the actors had run inside a home at 804 Creighton, a suspected gang party house.”

Everett said law enforcement officials then called in the Special Operations Response Team (SORT).

“A search warrant was obtained for the residence,” said Everett. “The police SORT team was called in and began by introducing OC (oleoresin capsicum) gas into the residence and later entered the house and found no one inside.”

Everett said the matter is still under investigation.

Wednesday’s report of gunfire joins approximately 20 other reports of deadly conduct/discharge of a firearm made in the city of Big Spring since the beginning of the year, including an early-morning drive-by shooting in the 1500 block of Owens Tuesday that sent an 11-year-old boy to the hospital with non life-threatening injuries.

According to police officials, the majority of the reports are gang related. No arrests have been made in connection with Wednesday’s shooting.

Contact Staff Writer Thomas Jenkins at 263-7331 ext. 232 or by e-mail at