In a dramatic Texas standoff, a police bomb squad robot successfully neutralized a gunman at a Days Inn hotel in Lubbock, preventing further danger to law enforcement. The suspect, 39-year-old Felix Delarosa, had violated his parole and was wanted by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.

On Wednesday morning, members of the Texas Anti-Gang unit tracked Delarosa to his hotel room, where he had barricaded himself. When officers attempted to approach him, Delarosa fired shots, prompting the Lubbock County Sheriff’s SWAT team to intervene. Negotiators tried to convince Delarosa to surrender peacefully, but he continued firing at the officers.

After a sheriff’s sniper allegedly struck Delarosa, the Lubbock Regional Bomb Squad deployed a robot to de-escalate the situation without endangering officers. The robot approached Delarosa’s room and was shot at by the suspect. The robot responded by releasing tear gas into the room, forcing Delarosa to crawl out, disoriented and unable to continue his attack.

As Delarosa struggled on the ground, the robot pinned him down. Amusingly, the robot’s wheels pulled down Delarosa’s pants, further incapacitating him and allowing SWAT officers to swoop in for the arrest.

Delarosa, who had previously been sentenced to 20 years in prison for drug-related charges, was taken into custody and transported to the hospital for injuries sustained during the standoff. He now faces charges of aggravated assault against a public servant.

The use of the bomb squad robot not only saved officers from potential harm but also demonstrated how technology can play a crucial role in law enforcement’s efforts to apprehend dangerous individuals safely.