Gunfire rang out in different parts of Amarillo early Sunday, March 22, as three separate incidents unfolded — leaving six people dead and more injured.
The Amarillo Police Department answered 9-1-1 calls, almost simultaneously, Sunday morning for the unrelated shootings.
At a press conference Sunday, March 22, Amarillo Police Chief Thomas Hover shared details about the three significant incidents, which all involved firearms.
“Because of the number of incidents in a short duration, we activated our emergency operations center to assist us in managing all three incidents, which were all occurring at one point,” he said.
Of the three suspected shooters, police say one was killed, one was arrested and one remains at large. Police continue to search for the third suspect.
Six people, including the gunman in one of the shootings, have died, and 10 others were injured.
Here is the preliminary information from the three shooting incidents.
3:15 a.m.: House party shooting on South Mississippi
“First incident. Officers with the Amarillo Police Department responded to shots fired at 3:15 a.m. on March 22, 2026, in the 300 block of South Mississippi Street,” Hover said. “Upon arrival, officers located two individuals suffering from gunshot wounds.”
One person was taken to a local hospital by private vehicle, while the second person was taken to the hospital by Amarillo Medical Services. According to Hover, both individuals were currently receiving medical treatment.
A preliminary investigation indicates that a man attended a house party at a residence where 15 people were present. The police chief said that during the gathering, the suspect displayed an AR-15 style rifle, and he was asked to leave.
“After the suspect exited the residence, the suspect turned back around toward the house and fired multiple rounds into the structure, striking two individuals,” Hover said. “The suspect fled the scene prior to officers’ arrival and remains at large.”
The investigation is ongoing, and officers are still actively searching for the third suspect, so no additional information on the individual will be released until the suspect is in custody.
5:59 a.m.: Domestic violence call on South Dallas
Hover said the second incident began at 5:59 a.m., when Amarillo officers were dispatched to the 2900 block of South Dallas in Amarillo on a domestic violence shooting.
“Upon arrival, APD officers, along with deputies from the Randall County Sheriff’s Office, encountered a male suspect, identified as 40-year-old James Pena,” Hover said. “He was wearing body armor and armed with both an AR-15 rifle and a handgun.”
The suspect was taken into custody without further incident, according to Hover.
Upon initial investigation, officers located three injured family members who were taken to a local hospital for treatment. Investigators believe the suspect had armed himself during the night.
“An altercation involving gunfire occurred inside the home with a family member. The suspect then exited the residence and continued firing into the home, resulting in additional injuries to occupants,” Hover said.
Two additional people who responded to the scene after hearing the gunfire were fatally shot outside of the residence.
Pena has been booked into the Randall County Jail on charges of capital murder. This remains an active and ongoing investigation.
7:03 a.m.: 9-1-1 call at a house, followed by business robbery and shooting — and return to the house
9-1-1 call
Hover next described the third incident. “At 7:03 a.m., Amarillo Police Department officers responded to the 1900 block of Northwest 14th Avenue to a disturbance and an open 9-1-1 call.” Upon officers’ arrival, the suspect had already left the scene, and no crime was reported.
Robbery leaves 2 dead
At 7:36 a.m., deputies with the Potter County Sheriff’s Office responded to a business near Loop 335 and North Western Street, in reference to an attempted robbery.
Hover said that the suspect then forced his way into an occupied building. During the encounter, a person inside fought back, injuring the suspect. The suspect left, but he parked a short distance away. A second individual came to the scene, and the suspect also returned, shooting both of those two individuals.
Both were pronounced dead at the scene.
The suspect then fled the scene in a Dodge Ram, and a brief pursuit followed with Potter County deputies and the Texas Department of Public Safety, but the suspect evaded law enforcement, Hover said.
Officer-involved shooting outside residence leaves suspect dead
The suspect then returned to the residence in the 1900 block of Northwest 14th Avenue.
At 8:15 a.m., Amarillo officers were dispatched back to that location, following multiple 9-1-1 calls reporting shots fired, the police chief said.
“Three officers responded and observed the suspect standing outside the residence, wearing body armor and armed with a rifle and in an aggressive shooting stance,” according to Hover.
Officers then gave verbal commands for the suspect to drop the rifle, but he began firing at officers. The officers then returned fire, and the suspect was shot multiple times.
Once the suspect was secure, officers immediately rendered life-saving measures, but despite those efforts, he was pronounced dead at the scene. He was identified as 41-year-old Dustin Johnson.
Suspect had crashed into home, fired at people inside
During the investigation, officers learned that prior to the officer-involved shooting, the suspect had returned to the residence, drove a vehicle into the home, and injured multiple individuals.
He then exited the vehicle and began firing into the residence, which resulted in six individuals inside the home being injured.
“One victim was pronounced deceased at the scene, and five additional individuals were transported to local hospitals with injuries,” Hover said.
What’s next in police action, investigations
The Amarillo Police Department earlier said in a community update that “Our top priority is the safety of our community. We want to reassure residents that there is no ongoing threat related to these incidents based on the information we have at this time. … We appreciate the community’s patience and cooperation as we work to ensure the safety and security of Amarillo.”
All three investigations remain active and ongoing, Police Chief Hover said, and people can expect an increased law enforcement presence across the city in Amarillo as well as the nearby area.
“In conclusion, the Amarillo Police Department will continue to increase staffing to combat this violent behavior,” Hover said. “We are partnering with our state and county partners to immediately increase the presence in and around Amarillo.”
A long-term approach to address the violence is also in the works.
Hover stressed these investigations will take time.
“The police department’s assets are stretched to complete these investigations in a timely manner,” he said. “I ask for your patience as our officers and other law enforcement partners work diligently to bring these conclusions. We will remain transparent during the process, and will provide more information as it becomes available.”
Hover added that as a matter of routine, the three officers involved in the shooting were placed on administrative leave.
He asked the public if anyone has any information relating to any of these incidents, they are encouraged to contact the Amarillo Crime Stoppers at 806-374-4400 or submit an anonymous tip online at AMAPolice.org.
He emphasized that these three events were simultaneously occurring, and they are working to gather more details as quickly as possible, including motives and the background of these individuals.
Hover said police have some information on the possible suspect at large, but it cannot be released at this time to protect that investigation and ensure the safety of the officers.
“The Amarillo Police Department takes these things seriously,” he said. “We’re going to put the people and equipment in place to reduce and hopefully one day eliminate it (the violence).”
“I’ll always ask everybody to remain vigilant; know and understand your surroundings,” Hover said. “But these particular cases were all related to themselves. They weren’t unique, as far as, the individuals knew each other. These weren’t active or random acts of violence; they were targeted specifically during those incidents.”
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This is a developing story; more information will be added as it becomes available.
This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Amarillo police chief shares info on 3 shootings that unfolded Sunday
Reporting by Nell Williams and Kristina Wood, Amarillo Globe-News / Amarillo Globe-News
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