Robot Dodges Gunfire, Deploys Tear Gas, and Subdues Man at Lubbock Motel
Lubbock, Texas — In a dramatic standoff at a Days Inn motel in Lubbock, Texas, a suspect attempted to shoot a police robot, only to be outmaneuvered by the high-tech device, which ultimately subdued him with a combination of tear gas and sheer mechanical force.
The incident unfolded on Wednesday morning, when Felix Delarosa, 39, barricaded himself inside a motel room after firing multiple shots at police officers. Law enforcement quickly responded by deploying a bomb squad robot designed to handle high-risk situations.
Attempt to outwit the robot backfires
Delarosa, desperate to fend off the robot, tried to disable it by firing a shot and tossing a sheet over the device in an attempt to block its sensors and the tear gas it had deployed. However, the robot—equipped with advanced maneuverability—quickly shook off the obstacles. In a stunning turn of events, the robot dodged the gunfire, removed the sheet, and rolled over Delarosa, pinning him to the ground outside his motel room.
According to authorities, the robot played a key role in bringing the hours-long standoff to a close.
“Felix Delarosa was wanted by the state’s anti-gang unit in connection with a prior crime,” police told reporters. Footage of the event shows Delarosa struggling on the ground, immobilized by the robotic device.
A high-tech solution to a high-risk situation
The tense standoff, which had already involved a SWAT team and crisis negotiators, saw the robot acting decisively to prevent further violence. Prior to the robot’s intervention, a sniper from the sheriff’s office had fired at Delarosa after he aimed gunfire at officers from his motel room. Law enforcement then sent the robot to deliver tear gas through a broken window, hoping to force the suspect to surrender.
The suspect’s attempts to outsmart the machine failed. With the robot’s intervention, Delarosa was subdued, and he eventually surrendered to authorities. Police footage captured the entire confrontation, showcasing the robot’s ability to neutralize the suspect without further endangering human lives.
Outcome and next steps
After being pinned down by the robot, Delarosa was taken into custody and transported to a local hospital for treatment. While the exact charges are yet to be confirmed, Delarosa faces legal consequences related to the standoff and the ongoing investigation by the anti-gang unit.
The case underscores the increasing role of robotics in law enforcement, with this incident marking one of the more dramatic examples of how technology can be utilized in high-stakes situations to safely apprehend suspects.
Authorities have praised the robot’s performance, which helped bring the standoff to a peaceful resolution.