HOUSTON – A violent fugitive who killed a Brazoria County deputy has been shot and killed during a shootout with police in southwest Houston, authorities confirmed.
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Hours after the deputy was killed, several gunshots were heard in the same area, indicating ongoing tension and activity in the vicinity.
Cameras captured officers carrying a wounded U.S. Marshal K-9, and an emergency helicopter was seen responding to the scene.
Officials said the suspect, identified as 56-year-old Robert Lee Davis III, was found hiding in a dumpster near the scene after an extensive search by law enforcement.
Davis reportedly shot the K-9 twice, and an officer returned fire, killing the suspect who was hit multiple times.
According to the U.S. Marshals, the K-9′s name is Rocky, a Belgian Malinois.
KPRC 2 Investigates has learned from Houston Mayor John Whitmire that Rocky is 1 1/2 years old and has 6 months of service. Whitmire said Rocky was shot in the neck and grazed to his nose.
According to the U.S. Marshals, Rocky is going to make it.
After the scene was secured, officials spoke about what had transpired, including the U.S. Marshal for the Southern District of Texas T. Michael O’Connor, Houston Police Chief Noe Diaz, and Harris County District Attorney Sean Teare.
The three thanked all the agencies involved in helping bring the manhunt to a close.
“Something bad happens in this city, it doesn’t matter what patch we wear, what uniform we wear, what hats we wear, we’re going to take care of business because our priority is public safety and this community,” Diaz said.
What happened
The U.S. Marshals told KPRC 2’s Bryce Newberry the deputy, part of the U.S. Marshal’s Gulf Coast Violent Offenders Task Force, was gunned down in the parking lot of a shopping center at 9333 Stella Link Road, near the 610 South Loop, at around 11:30 a.m. Wednesday.
The deputy and his team were attempting to serve a warrant on the violent offender when Davis unexpectedly opened fire from his vehicle.
The deputy was shot in the head and was transported to Ben Taub Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
KPRC 2′s Jason Nguyen captured footage of K9 units searching the nearby Brays Bayou in the aftermath of the shooting.
Deputy identified
The deputy has been identified as Jesus Vargas, a 17-year veteran of the Brazoria County Sheriff’s Office. Vargas is survived by his wife and three children.
He was described as a “true crime fighter” and a dedicated public servant known for his integrity, compassion, and commitment to the community.
READ: What we know about the Brazoria County deputy who was killed in the line of duty
“He was more than a team member—he was a friend, mentor, and inspiration to everyone who knew him. His professionalism and kind nature left a lasting impact on our office and the residents he served,” the Brazoria County Sheriff’s Office posted.
Search and lockdown
After the shooting, K9 units were seen searching the nearby Brays Bayou. Several schools and a neighborhood in the area were temporarily placed on lockdown while multiple law enforcement agencies searched for the gunman.
The Houston Independent School District’s Horn Elementary sent the following message to parents:
“Our campus has been temporarily placed in secure status as a precautionary measure while police investigate suspicious activity in the area. There is no direct threat to your students. All students remain safe, our building is secure, and our instructional day is continuing as normal.”
Blue Alert issued
A Blue Alert was issued for fugitive Robert Lee Davis III, aka Sean Davis, wanted for violence against a law enforcement officer. He was wearing a blue Nike hoodie and jeans near the 9300 block of Stella Link Road at the time of the shooting.
RELATED: Blue Alert issued for suspect on the run after Brazoria County deputy shot, killed in Houston
Davis had a criminal history dating back to 1986 in Harris County, with his most recent charges including two counts of aggravated sexual assault filed on December 16, highlighting his continued pattern of violent behavior.
This is a developing story. We’ll provide updates when we have more information.