Brazoria County deputy killed in Houston, shooter dead

HOUSTON - A Brazoria County deputy Jesus Jesse Vargas has died after being shot in Houston on Wednesday, a source confirms.

Authorities identified Robert Lee Davis III as the shooter and began an hours-long manhunt in southwest Houston to locate him.

Davis was shot and killed by law enforcement after being found in a dumpster near the initial shooting scene.

Officer shot in Houston: Live updates

6:16 p.m.: HPD, Texas DPS, and other law enforcement held a press conference.

HPD Chief Noe Diaz reports around 4:50 p.m., law enforcement were doing a secondary methodical search of the scene on Stella Link Road. The team secured an area behind the building and a US Marshal K9 alerted near a dumpster twice.

Authorities opened the dumpster and Davis was inside. He shot the K9 and deputies returned fire, killing Davis who was still in the dumpster.

Officials say the K9, Rocky, went inside the dumpster and was shot twice. The K9 was last reported to be in stable condition. He is one-and-a-half-years-old.

Davis was shot multiple times by law enforcement.

Authorities report they were attempting to serve Davis an outstanding warrant for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon out of Brazoria County.

Chief Diaz believes Davis was hiding in the dumpster the whole time. 

During the shooting of Vargas, Davis was a passenger in a brown pickup truck, Chief Diaz said. The driver returned to the scene and cooperated with police. His connection to Davis is unknown at this time.

US Marshal T. Michael O'Connor said Vargas was commissioned as a special US Deputy Marshal about a year ago for the Gulf Coast Violent Offenders Task Force.

5:40 p.m.: FOX 26 received surveillance video showing the moments Vargas and his partner approached the suspect on Stella Link Road. The video shows Vargas coming up behind the suspects vehicle, a shot being fired, and the suspect running from the scene.

5:17 p.m.: Houston Police Department confirm suspect, Robert Lee Davis III, is dead. HPD said Davis was shot by law enforcement behind businesses near the shooting scene on Stella Link.

5:11 p.m.: It was confirmed a K9 dog was injured and taken on a DPS helicopter to receive medical attention.

5 p.m.: A helicopter was seen at the scene.

4:53 p.m.: FOX 26 have heard reports of police activity and shots fired outside an O'Reilly Auto Parts at 9123 Stella Link Road.

4:30 p.m.: Brazoria County Sheriff's Office release a photo of fallen Deputy Jesus Vargas.

"He was a dedicated public servant, known for his integrity, compassion, and commitment to our community," 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. Our hearts go out to Deputy Vargas’s family, friends, and loved ones during this difficult time," wrote the Sheriff's Office in a statement.

2:12 p.m.: A Blue Alert was issued for 56-year-old Robert Lee Davis III, also known as Sean Christopher Davis, for the deadly shooting of Deputy Sheriff Jesus Jesse Vargas on Stella Link Road.

Davis was last seen in a blue Nike hoodie with wire Nike lettering on the front, blue jeans, and blue sneakers.

He is described as having black hair and brown eyes, 5 feet 10 inches tall, and weighing around 200 pounds.

2 p.m.: Press conference held to provide updates.

Deputy Sheriff Jesus Jesse Vargas was identified as the law enforcement officer who was shot and killed. He was attempting to serve a warrant against a repeat violent offender for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

The suspect shot Deputy Vargas as he approached to serve the warrant, officials said. Vargas was a 17-year veteran of the Brazoria County Sheriff's Office with a wife and three kids.

Various law enforcement agencies are at the scene, including the Houston Police Department, who is leading the investigation.

A perimeter has been established with barricades blocking roadways. K9 units and DPS helicopters are assisting in the search.

1:49 p.m.: A source confirms that the Brazoria County deputy who was shot in the head has died.

1:35 p.m.: As FOX 26's Damali Keith reports, investigators at the shooting scene are focused on a brown truck that has a bullet hole. We're told the person the task force was serving a warrant on fired from the vehicle.

1:30 p.m.: Members of several law enforcement agencies, including the Brazoria County Sheriff's Office, Texas DPS, and the Houston Police Department have arrived at the hospital where the officer was taken. Houston Mayor John Whitmire is also at the hospital.

12:50 p.m.: Harris County Constable Alan Rosen sent out a tweet stating the officer was serving a warrant on Wednesday morning. Deputies from his office with the task force are aiding in searching for the suspect.

"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!"

12:34 p.m.: A law enforcement source confirms that the officer who was injured in the shooting is a member of the U.S. Marshal’s Gulf Coast Violent Offenders Task Force. The agency the officer is with has not been confirmed.

12:23 p.m.: The Houston Police Department tweeted an outside agency officer was shot in the 9300 block of Stella Link Road near 610 South Loop.

HPD says the suspect left the scene after the officer was shot, and there is an ongoing search to locate them.

The officer is being taken to Ben Taub Hospital. Their condition is unknown, according to HPD.

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This is a breaking news story. We will continue to update as we receive more information.