Texas man charged with threatening to kill ex-wife, shooting at FBI agents with AR-15

LUBBOCK, Texas (TCD) --  A 48-year-old man faces federal charges after he allegedly threatened to kill his ex-wife, fled from authorities, and caused an hours-long standoff at a Texas National Guard Armory.

Lubbock Police said in a statement that Gene Solis initially spoke with an officer on Nov. 24 and said he was "suicidal and homicidal toward another individual." Officers located Solis, but he then fled. Police engaged in a pursuit but canceled it "due to public safety concerns."

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Texas said Solis allegedly revealed to the officer he "planned to kill his ex-wife and anyone who tried to stop him." He then allegedly planned to commit suicide after.

Lubbock Police reportedly set up surveillance at the ex-wife’s residence and saw Solis drive by at approximately 10:30 p.m. Officers attempted to make a traffic stop, but Solis fled. Lubbock Police said in their statement Solis traveled to Hale Center, and they engaged him in another pursuit.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Solis hit a spike strip during his attempt to flee and came to a stop in the National Guard Armory parking lot. He allegedly got out of the car, fired "several rounds" at officers from his AR-15 rifle, and ran inside the armory.

Lubbock Police said their SWAT team as well as FBI SWAT and negotiators arrived on scene. They tried making contact with Solis, who was still holed up inside the armory. He ultimately exited the building on the morning of Nov. 26.

FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge Matthew DeSarno said in the news release, "Mr. Solis’s actions endangered the life of his ex-wife, the law enforcement officers who responded to multiple scenes and the public at-large. Together with our law enforcement partners, the FBI’s priority is to protect and keep the communities we serve safe from harm."

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