Neighbors React to Officer-Involved, Halloween Night Shooting
By: Marianne Elisak
Updated: November 1, 2012
ODESSA --- At approximately 7:14 pm on Wednesday, sheriff's were called to 4000 block of Uranus Avenue in West Odessa due to "a man waiving a silver gun threatening people".
Residents in the area were stunned by the loud sounds, some saying they thought there were fireworks in the street.
DPS officials say 66-year-old Marvin Donald Wilkerson was the man shot and killed by Ector County Sheriff's Deputy Johnny Valderaz on Halloween night.
Sheriff officials say Valderaz shot Wilkerson in self-defense, as Wilkerson was reportedly pulling a gun out of his waistband.
"I came to the stop sign and looked down and I just started crying" says neighbor, Janet Norbye.
Norbye had been living next to Wilkerson for 15 years and says "the guy was really nice, but he did have a bad side with alcohol".
The shooting remains under investigation with the Texas Rangers.
Deputy Valderaz is off for his regular days off at this time.
Residents in the area were stunned by the loud sounds, some saying they thought there were fireworks in the street.
DPS officials say 66-year-old Marvin Donald Wilkerson was the man shot and killed by Ector County Sheriff's Deputy Johnny Valderaz on Halloween night.
Sheriff officials say Valderaz shot Wilkerson in self-defense, as Wilkerson was reportedly pulling a gun out of his waistband.
"I came to the stop sign and looked down and I just started crying" says neighbor, Janet Norbye.
Norbye had been living next to Wilkerson for 15 years and says "the guy was really nice, but he did have a bad side with alcohol".
The shooting remains under investigation with the Texas Rangers.
Deputy Valderaz is off for his regular days off at this time.
