Five Horses Shot by Unknown Suspect in Odessa

ODESSA, TX — The Ector County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a shooting at a home that left five horses wounded.

According to CBS 7, The Riley’s have 11 pet horses and other animals that they care for on Carter Ave in Odessa. The family went out in the afternoon of Aug. 5 to feed their horses and noticed that five of them had been wounded.

The wounds were quarter-size bullet holes. Five horses were found with these wounds in different areas on their bodies.

Three of the horses were shot in their abdomen, and two of them were shot in the leg.

The veterinarian told the Riley’s that the horses should recover, but no time line was given. The vet bills totaled several thousand dollars.

“They’re here, and they’re just as sweet as they can be. And for someone to just come and shoot them for no reason? It just doesn’t make any sense,” said Brandi Riley.

According to the Ector County Sheriff’s Office, these cases have many moving parts because it is hard to prove who did this. It was dark when the crime was committed and there were no witnesses whatsoever.

The Riley’s believe the shooting was not an accident, and the family’s hearts are broken for their animals. “I hope they know that they broke the heart of a little kid,” said Michael Riley, 10.