Texas officer killed, 4 others injured after standoff

A Texas officer was killed and four others were injured after a more than 10-hour standoff in Levelland on Thursday. 

Lubbock County Sheriff Kelly Rowe said at a press conference that the suspect, 22-year-old Omar Soto-Chavira, surrendered and was taken into custody late Thursday night after shooting his gun at officers around 2 p.m., NBC News reported.

The violence began when police were called to the scene by a neighbor who said that the suspect had been walking around with a large gun and acting strangely. 

Police Chief Albert Garcia said the suspect opened his door to fire at officers soon after they arrived at the scene.

Rowe said capital murder and attempted capital murder charges are likely to be filed against the man. 

Josh Bartlett, a Lubbock County sheriff’s sergeant and commander of the SWAT team, was shot and killed. Four others were injured, with one officer having to undergo surgery, according to the outlet. 

Garcia said the officer was in stable but critical condition.

“Our hearts, my heart and I know the entire country is with his wife and kids this evening,” Rowe said of Bartlett’s passing.

A trooper had an encounter with the suspect earlier in the day as the suspect was pulled over for driving recklessly. 

Multiple agencies including the FBI were involved in the standoff.