Commissioners approve Capital Murder trial being moved to Lubbock

Note: The following video contains remarks from District Attorney Angela L. Overman in September 2021

LUBBOCK, Texas — The Lubbock County Commissioner’s Court during a regular meeting on Monday unanimously approved of an interlocal agreement with Hockley County for a change of venue for the Capital Murder trial of Omar Soto-Chavira, who is accused of killing Sergeant Joshua Bartlett.

The trial was scheduled for September 16.

“All the expenses incurred by Lubbock County for this trial will be resubmitted back to Hockley County and they will remit those to Lubbock County,” Judge Curtis Parish said during the meeting.

EverythingLubbock.com previously reported Soto-Chavira was accused of shooting and killing Lubbock County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Bartlett, and severely injuring Levelland Police officer Shawn Wilson during a SWAT standoff in July 2021. Three other officers were injured.

The situation started when a Texas Department of Public Safety Trooper attempted to pull over Soto-Chavira near Levelland. Police said Soto-Chavira tried to “bait” the Trooper. Later on in the day, police received a report that Soto-Chavira was walking around with what appeared to be a large gun.

A warrant stated officers tried to speak with Soto-Chavira, but it was clear he had no intentions to cooperate. Soto-Chavira had barricaded himself in a home in Levelland in the 1100 block of 10th Street. He started shooting at law enforcement, and they returned fire. The Lubbock County Sheriff’s Office SWAT was called to help.

According to a warrant, as LCSO SWAT started relieving Levelland officers, Soto-Chavira opened fire again, shooting Sergeant Detective Shawn Wilson in the head, LCSO Sergeant Josh Bartlett in the neck and a third officer in the hand.

Soto-Chavira was eventually apprehended and taken to the hospital with a gunshot wound. He was then taken to the Hockley County Detention Center. He was charged with Capital Murder of a Peace Officer and three counts of Aggravated Assault Against a Public Servant.

Related coverage:

• Standoff over, suspect arrested and identified after deadly shooting of officer
• The shooter accused of killing a Lubbock officer; what we know about him
• Soto-Chavira officially booked for capital murder, death of one officer, critically wounding another
• New details on deadly shots fired: Soto-Chavira shot while officers traded positions, warrant said
• “If he is convicted, I will ask for the death penalty:” What we learned about the charges against Omar Soto-Chavira
• Feds come after Levelland man already facing death penalty
• Capital murder trial for shooter in deadly Levelland SWAT standoff gets new grant
• Trial for suspect in killing of Josh Bartlett moved to Lubbock

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