Texas sheriff’s deputy killed, suspect fatally shot after intensive search in Houston
Texas sheriff’s deputy killed, suspect fatally shot after intensive search in Houston
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)
People arrive at Ben Taub Hospital with deputy sheriffs from Brazoria County where a Texas sheriff’s deputy was taken after he was shot while trying to serve an arrest warrant Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025, in Houston. (Yi-Chin Lee/Houston Chronicle via AP)
Law enforcement officers salute as slain Brazoria County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Jesus Vargas, who was fatally shot while trying to serve an arrest warrant, is escorted by honor guard into the Harris County Forensic Science Center on Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025, in Houston. (Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle via AP)
Police investigate the scene of an officer involved shooting in the 9300 block of Stella Link Road on Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025, in Houston. (Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle via AP)
Law enforcement officers line up to salute Brazoria County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Jesus Vargas as his body is taken to the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences from Ben Taub Hospital, after he was fatally shot while trying to serve an arrest warrant on Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025, in Houston. (Yi-Chin Lee/Houston Chronicle via AP)
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)
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)
People arrive at Ben Taub Hospital with deputy sheriffs from Brazoria County where a Texas sheriff’s deputy was taken after he was shot while trying to serve an arrest warrant Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025, in Houston. (Yi-Chin Lee/Houston Chronicle via AP)
People arrive at Ben Taub Hospital with deputy sheriffs from Brazoria County where a Texas sheriff’s deputy was taken after he was shot while trying to serve an arrest warrant Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025, in Houston. (Yi-Chin Lee/Houston Chronicle via AP)
Law enforcement officers salute as slain Brazoria County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Jesus Vargas, who was fatally shot while trying to serve an arrest warrant, is escorted by honor guard into the Harris County Forensic Science Center on Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025, in Houston. (Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle via AP)
Law enforcement officers salute as slain Brazoria County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Jesus Vargas, who was fatally shot while trying to serve an arrest warrant, is escorted by honor guard into the Harris County Forensic Science Center on Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025, in Houston. (Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle via AP)
Police investigate the scene of an officer involved shooting in the 9300 block of Stella Link Road on Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025, in Houston. (Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle via AP)
Police investigate the scene of an officer involved shooting in the 9300 block of Stella Link Road on Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025, in Houston. (Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle via AP)
Law enforcement officers line up to salute Brazoria County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Jesus Vargas as his body is taken to the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences from Ben Taub Hospital, after he was fatally shot while trying to serve an arrest warrant on Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025, in Houston. (Yi-Chin Lee/Houston Chronicle via AP)
Law enforcement officers line up to salute Brazoria County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Jesus Vargas as his body is taken to the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences from Ben Taub Hospital, after he was fatally shot while trying to serve an arrest warrant on Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025, in Houston. (Yi-Chin Lee/Houston Chronicle via AP)
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.
Updated - Test BSP-2636
What to know about the 2024 Election
- Democracy: American democracy has overcome big stress tests since the 2020 election. More challenges lie ahead in 2024.
- AP’s Role: The Associated Press is the most trusted source of information on election night, with a history of accuracy dating to 1848. Learn more.
- Read the latest: Follow AP’s complete coverage of this year’s election.
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.
“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.