HOUSTON – A suspect wanted in connection to the shooting death of Brazoria County sheriff’s deputy Jesus Vargas was shot and killed after a shootout with law enforcement Wednesday.
The suspect, 56-year-old Robert Lee Davis III, was reportedly found hiding in a dumpster near the same area where the deputy was shot and killed hours earlier.
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A U.S. Marshal K-9 found Davis inside the dumpster and was shot twice by the suspect, once in the neck and another graze wound to his nose. Law enforcement fired at Davis, striking him multiple times. He died at the scene.
The K-9 is known as K-9 Rocky. Houston Mayor John Whitmire tells KPRC 2 that Rocky is 1 1/2 years old and has 6 months of service. He is a Belgian Malinois.
After the shooting, dramatic video captured by KPRC 2 shows K-9 Rocky being carried by multiple law enforcement officers to a nearby helicopter to be taken to a veterinarian.
K-9 Rocky was taken to Westbury Animal Hospital where he is said to be in stable condition.
According to the U.S. Marshals, Rocky will survive his injuries.
“They’re part of our existence as a police department, as law enforcement in general, whether be it bombs, be it drugs, you name it, saving lives, those dogs are amazing and they’re part of us,” Houston Police Chief Noe Diaz said in a news conference after the manhunt came to an end.