Lubbock County Sheriff's SWAT Commander Killed During Standoff

A standoff with an armed suspect in Levelland turned deadly after four members of law enforcement were shot Thursday afternoon.

Levelland Police were first called out to a residence in the 1100 block of 10th Street just before 1:15pm on Thursday. Some time after 3pm, reports first surfaced that four members of law enforcement were shot during the standoff with the suspect.

Just before 7pm, the Lubbock County Sheriff's Office confirmed that one of the four officers shot, died. SWAT Commander Sergeant Josh Bartlett was killed as a result wounds he received during the initial shootout with the suspect.

The Lubbock County Sheriff’s Office is mourning the loss of one of our own, tonight, SWAT Commander Sergeant Josh Bartlett.
The Lubbock County Sheriff’s Office SWAT Team responded to the 1100 block of 10^th Street in Levelland at 2:15 p.m. on Thursday, July 15^th to assist the Levelland Police Department for reports of a barricaded subject with reports of shots fired.
Shortly after arrival, gunfire was exchanged and Sgt. Bartlett was shot. Sgt. Bartlett was transported to Covenant Medical Center in Levelland with life-threatening injuries where he was later pronounced deceased.
The Lubbock County Sheriff’s Office continues to work with The Levelland Police Department, The Texas Department of Public Safety, The Lubbock Police Department, Hockley County Sheriff’s Office, ATF, Homeland Security, FBI, and US Marshal’s office to find a resolution to the current situation.
We appreciate the public’s support during this difficult time and ask for continued prayers for his family, both blood and blue.

KFYO News learned of shots still being fired between the suspect and law enforcement between 6-6:30pm, and the standoff continuing after 7pm.

Numerous law enforcement agencies are in Levelland as of Thursday evening, including the FBI, ATF, Lubbock County Sheriff's Office, Hockley County Sheriff's Office, Texas DPS, Lubbock Police and Levelland Police.

Law enforcement is also keeping bystanders away from the neighborhood of the standoff due to the nature of the crime scene.

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