Levelland, Texas Standoff Ends After Lubbock SWAT Team Deploys Robot and Gas

A police officer was killed and four others were injured during a standoff in Texas that ended after a SWAT team deployed gas and a robot into the home of the suspect.

The man, 22, identified as Omar Soto-Chavira, was brought into police custody at about 11:30 p.m., the Associated Press reported. That was more than 10 hours after the standoff with the authorities began.

Sergeant Josh Bartlett of the Lubbock County Sheriff's Office was shot and killed during the incident. Three officers were treated for minor injuries and Levelland Police Sergeant Shawn Wilson underwent surgery for a gunshot wound, and he is now in a stable condition, according to the AP.

The standoff began at about 1:12 p.m. on Thursday when a local resident reported a man "acting strange" and "walking around with what appeared to be a large gun," Levelland Police Department Chief Albert Garcia told reporters at the scene.

Officers responded by going to the house. They were concerned that the suspect had a gun and began talking to him through a police negotiator, who was unable to have a meaningful discussion with Soto-Chavira and stop him from acting in a hostile way.

Moments after the negotiator tried talking to the suspect, Soto-Chavira allegedly opened his front door and opened fire at the officers at the scene. "We did return fire, but it did not appear that we struck the suspect at that time," Garcia said.

The sheriff's office's SWAT team responded to the scene at around 2:15 p.m., after local police had reported the shots fired at the residence of the suspect, who had subsequently barricaded himself into his home.

Local residents were urged to evacuate the area during the standoff as shots were fired throughout the incident. The AP reported that some declined to leave, while others were told to wait at the back of their properties.

Officials from the Lubbock County Sheriff's Office told reporters that the suspect surrendered after a SWAT team deployed gas and a robot into his home. No further details about the robot have been released.

Jodey Arrington, a lawmaker for Texas's 19th congressional district, responded to the incident on Thursday evening, writing on Twitter: "I ask the people of West Texas to pray for the family of Sgt. Josh Bartlett of the Lubbock County Sheriff's Office, who was tragically killed in the line of duty today.

"May God bless all the victims of today's shooting, their families, and our community at this difficult time."

Lubbock County Sheriff Kelly Rowe revealed that Bartlett had been with the sheriff's department for nine years and paid tribute to him, saying: "Our hearts, my heart and I know the entire country is with his wife and kids this evening."

Newsweek has contacted the Levelland Police Department for comment.

Update 7/16/2021 4:30 a.m. ET: This article was updated to include further information and context throughout.