Texas Standoff Leads to Death of SWAT Commander, Injures 3 Other Officers

A SWAT commander died in action, and three other officers were injured in an hours-long standoff with an armed man in Levelland, Texas on Thursday, July 15.

The casualty was identified as County Sheriff's Office of Lubbock, Texas (LCSO) Special Weapons and Tactics team leader Sergeant Josh Bartlett.

According to a statement from the Justices of the Peace and Constables Association of Texas, Josh Bartlett was pronounced dead at Lubbock hospital.

The three other police officers who were injured during the encounter were taken to the University Medical Center in Lubbock, which is nearly 30 miles away from the incident.

According to Newsweek, three other officers were injured during the Texas standoff with an individual who barricaded himself inside a house. It has been confirmed that one of the wounded cops was a police officer in Levelland.

The two other police officers who were injured were from Hockley County and Lubbock County. Both are reported to be in critical condition. The names of the injured officers are yet to be announced.

The Texas Standoff

According to Fox News, Levelland police received a call about a man walking around with a large gun at around 1:12 p.m. The report noted that the suspect had closed himself inside a house soon after the police arrived.

At around 2:15 p.m., the LCSO SWAT Team, headed by Josh Bartlett, arrived at the scene, and the suspect began firing out the door. The SWAT team then exchanged gunfire with the suspect leading to Josh Bartlett being shot.

Additional shots were fired at around 3 p.m., and another round at about 6 p.m., KCBD reported. A witness at the scene said they heard shots being fired in all directions. The Texas standoff with the suspect continued against officers from both local and federal agencies until 9 p.m.

Suspect in the Texas Standoff

Police said the suspect had been taken into custody late Thursday evening, July 15. According to Lubbock County Sheriff Kelly Rowe, robots were used.

The 22-year-old suspect, identified as Omar Soto-Chavira, was transported to a Lubbock hospital to be treated for his injuries. The suspect has been identified as 22-year-old Omar Soto-Chavira.

Levelland Police Chief Albert Garcia said the case is now in the hands of the Texas Rangers. The suspect reportedly barricaded himself in a block with a Mexican butcher shop and a tire shop.

The Levelland Hockley Emergency Management has earlier advised local residents to avoid the area as the authorities continue to deal with the incident.

As a precautionary measure, Covenant Health Levelland went into lockdown. According to the hospital's spokesperson, they will remain in a lockdown as long as there is still a threat.

"We are supporting our community and law enforcement officers in Levelland and are keeping the Levelland community and the injured officers in our prayers," the hospital's spokesperson stated.

Agents with the Texas Department of Public Safety and Lubbock's SWAT team are still on the side of the incident. Before the suspect's arrest, the LCSO was working with the Lubbock Police Department; Levelland Police Department; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms; the Texas Department of Public Safety; Hockley County Sheriff's Office; the FBI; Department of Homeland Security; and the U.S. Marshal's office to resolve the standoff.

In a statement on Thursday, the Lubbock County Sheriff's Office said they are mourning the loss of one of their men. "We appreciate the public's support during this difficult time and ask for continued prayers for [Josh Bartlett's] family, both blood and blue," the LCSO wrote.

WATCH: Levelland, Texas Standoff: Officer Shot and Killed, Multiple Officers Wounded - From LiveNOW FOX