HOUSTON, TX - On Wednesday, January 15th, the manhunt throughout the Houston area for a suspect accused of fatally shooting an area deputy ended with police fatally shooting him.
According to KWTX, Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez announced that the suspect, 56-year-old Robert Lee Davis III, also known as Sean Christopher Davis, was shot by law enforcement officers near where he allegedly shot the deputy. Fox News reported that police shot and killed Davis, who fatally shot a deputy who was trying to serve him a warrant earlier.
In a post on X, police wrote, "A short time ago, the suspect was shot by law enforcement behind the businesses near the original shooting scene here on Stella Link. The suspect is deceased."
ABC13 reported that during the search for Davis, a federal K9 was injured and shot by Davis, who was at the center of a "Blue Alert" after fatally shooting a deputy earlier that day. Several law enforcement agencies searched for Davis for eight hours and are crediting one-year-old U.S. Marshal K9 Rocky for leading them to where Davis was hanging out.
Davis was hanging out in a dumpster in an alleyway for about five hours on Stella Link Road. Rocky followed Davis' scent and began fearlessly digging in the dumpster, alerting authorities, which lead to the discovery of Davis. Authorities said that Davis shot Rocky twice when officers opened the dumpster, prompting officers to return fire.
First responders can be heard over the radio, "They shot the dog. Rushing it to try and get it some help." The K9 was clinging to life in the arms of a U.S. Marshal while a DPS helicopter rushed Rocky to the Westbury Animal Hospital. Thankfully, K9 Rocky will survive his injuries.
Houston Mayor John Whitmire and Houston Police Chief J. Noe Diaz said that earlier in the day Brazoria County Sheriff's Deputy Jesus Jesse Vargas was killed after being shot in the head while serving a warrant on a repeat offender. Whitmire said, "This afternoon, we lost a local hero in Deputy Sheriff Vargas from the Brazoria County Sheriff's Office."
The shooting that took Vargas' life happened in the parking lot of a Dollar General store around 11:30 a.m. Vargas and his partner were serving a warrant on the offender in the parking lot. When they approached the fugitive's vehicle, he reportedly opened fire and then fled the scene.
At the time of the shooting, Vargas was working as a member of the U.S. Marshal's Gulf Coast Violent Offenders Task Force. Officials said Vargas was shot in the head. He was taken to Ben Taub Hospital where he was pronounced dead. Vargas was a 17-year veteran of the force and leaves behind a wife and three children.
Prior to finding the suspect, Harris County Constable Alan Rosen posted to X that his department was aiding in the search of Davis. Rosen wrote, "We are praying for the officer shot while serving a warrant this morning. Please keep this officer and his family in your prayers!!! I have deputies attached to this task force who are out searching for the suspect with our other law enforcement partners!"
Prior to being found, police released a photo of Davis, who was last seen wearing a blue Nike hoodie with white lettering, blue jeans, and blue sneakers. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Houston assisted police in the search for Davis. Records show that Davis has a criminal history dating back to 1990 with the most recent being from December 2024 for aggravated sexual assault charges against a relative.
According to KWTX, Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez announced that the suspect, 56-year-old Robert Lee Davis III, also known as Sean Christopher Davis, was shot by law enforcement officers near where he allegedly shot the deputy. Fox News reported that police shot and killed Davis, who fatally shot a deputy who was trying to serve him a warrant earlier.
In a post on X, police wrote, "A short time ago, the suspect was shot by law enforcement behind the businesses near the original shooting scene here on Stella Link. The suspect is deceased."
ABC13 reported that during the search for Davis, a federal K9 was injured and shot by Davis, who was at the center of a "Blue Alert" after fatally shooting a deputy earlier that day. Several law enforcement agencies searched for Davis for eight hours and are crediting one-year-old U.S. Marshal K9 Rocky for leading them to where Davis was hanging out.
Davis was hanging out in a dumpster in an alleyway for about five hours on Stella Link Road. Rocky followed Davis' scent and began fearlessly digging in the dumpster, alerting authorities, which lead to the discovery of Davis. Authorities said that Davis shot Rocky twice when officers opened the dumpster, prompting officers to return fire.
First responders can be heard over the radio, "They shot the dog. Rushing it to try and get it some help." The K9 was clinging to life in the arms of a U.S. Marshal while a DPS helicopter rushed Rocky to the Westbury Animal Hospital. Thankfully, K9 Rocky will survive his injuries.
Houston Mayor John Whitmire and Houston Police Chief J. Noe Diaz said that earlier in the day Brazoria County Sheriff's Deputy Jesus Jesse Vargas was killed after being shot in the head while serving a warrant on a repeat offender. Whitmire said, "This afternoon, we lost a local hero in Deputy Sheriff Vargas from the Brazoria County Sheriff's Office."
The shooting that took Vargas' life happened in the parking lot of a Dollar General store around 11:30 a.m. Vargas and his partner were serving a warrant on the offender in the parking lot. When they approached the fugitive's vehicle, he reportedly opened fire and then fled the scene.
At the time of the shooting, Vargas was working as a member of the U.S. Marshal's Gulf Coast Violent Offenders Task Force. Officials said Vargas was shot in the head. He was taken to Ben Taub Hospital where he was pronounced dead. Vargas was a 17-year veteran of the force and leaves behind a wife and three children.
Prior to finding the suspect, Harris County Constable Alan Rosen posted to X that his department was aiding in the search of Davis. Rosen wrote, "We are praying for the officer shot while serving a warrant this morning. Please keep this officer and his family in your prayers!!! I have deputies attached to this task force who are out searching for the suspect with our other law enforcement partners!"
Prior to being found, police released a photo of Davis, who was last seen wearing a blue Nike hoodie with white lettering, blue jeans, and blue sneakers. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Houston assisted police in the search for Davis. Records show that Davis has a criminal history dating back to 1990 with the most recent being from December 2024 for aggravated sexual assault charges against a relative.
For corrections or revisions, click here.
The opinions reflected in this article are not necessarily the opinions of LET
Comments