An episode of man versus crime-fighting robot ended 0-1, in the machine’s favor.
Felix Delarosa, 39, had barricaded himself inside Lubbock Days Inn in Texas and was in a standoff with police on Wednesday morning.
Delarosa held what looked like a Bible and could be seen through a broken window inside the room speaking on the phone, KCBD reported.
The man, who had a warrant out for his arrest for another incident, shot at cops when they tried to make contact with him.
Cops called the Lubbock County Sheriff’s Office SWAT team, whose negotiators were also met with gunfire. Despite efforts to convince Delarosa to peacefully surrender, the suspect continued to open fire inside the motel room and at cops.
A sniper with the sheriff’s office shot Delarosa.
Officials then deployed the Lubbock Regional Bomb Squad Robot to the room.
A video recorded by KCBD shows the robot approaching Delarosa, who throws a blanket over it. The robot goes to the window and moves the sheet enough to spray tear gas into the room.
Moments later, Delarosa climbs out of the window clutching his face and stays on his hands and knees in agony.
The robot claims victory by diving over and climbing on top of Delarosa’s legs and body.
Someone, possibly the photojournalist recording, can be heard chuckling in the background of the video.
Delarosa was transported by ambulance to University Medical Center.
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Charges against him were not immediately known.
A sheriff’s deputy who returned fire is on paid administrative leave, in accordance with the agency’s policies.
The incident is under investigation by the Texas Rangers.
While the robot appeared to do its job, machines deployed by other police departments in the US have not all had success.
The New York Police Department suspended its ‘Black Mirror’ robot dogs after backlash from residents who claimed that they only patrolled neighborhoods occupied by people of color. But Mayor Eric Adams in April 2023 announced that ‘Digidog is out of the pound’ and would be back in the agency’s toolkit.
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