Texas sheriff's deputy killed, suspect fatally shot after intensive search in Houston

[January 16, 2025]  HOUSTON (AP) — A man fatally shot a Texas sheriff's deputy Wednesday at a shopping plaza in Houston and then evaded officers for hours before shooting a K-9 that helped find him hiding under trash in a dumpster, authorities said. 

The 56-year-old suspect was then shot and killed by officers, ending an intensive afternoon search in the nation's fourth-largest city following the killing of Jesus Vargas, a 17-year veteran of the Brazoria County sheriff’s department.

Law enforcement officers embrace as they wait for the procession of slain Brazoria County Sheriff's Office Deputy Jesus Vargas, who was fatally shot while trying to serve an arrest warrant, to arrive at the Harris County Forensic Science Center on Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025, in Houston. (Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle via AP)

“What has happened is extremely tragic,” T. Michael O’Connor, the U.S. Marshal of the Southern District of Texas, said at a news conference.

The dog, named Rocky, was transported by helicopter for care and was in stable condition Wednesday evening, O’Connor said.

Authorities said Vargas was trying to serve an arrest warrant Wednesday morning when the suspect opened fire on him. The suspect then fled the scene, setting off a large-scale search that included helicopters, K-9 units and multiple law enforcement agencies.

Police identified the suspect as Robert Lee Davis, also known as Sean Christopher Davis. Davis had a warrant for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, Houston Police Department Chief Noe Diaz said.

Police said the suspect was eventually found close to where the deputy was shot. Diaz said the K9 had alerted officers to the dumpster and believed David had been hiding the there since the shooting. Officers opened fire after Davis shot the dog, authorities said.

Vargas was married and had three children, Brazoria County Sheriff Bo Stallman, said.

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