Robert Lee Davis, also known as Sean Christopher Davis, was accused by police of killing Brazoria County Deputy Jesus Vargas with a shot to the head.

According to officials of the Gulf Coast Violent Offenders Task Force, Vargas was serving an aggravated assault warrant for Davis in southwest Houston when Davis opened fire on Vargas and fled the scene on Wednesday.

Vargas was transported to Ben Taub hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Davis was a known violent criminal with a decades-long criminal record. According to  KHOU 11, Texas Department of Public Safety records show that he was previously charged with aggravated sexual assault of a minor, aggravated robbery, aggravated assault, and other charges.

“This afternoon, we lost a local hero in Deputy Sheriff Vargas, from Brazoria County Sheriff’s Office working in a U.S. Marshall task force attempting to apprehend a repeat violent offender here on the streets of Houston,” said Mayor John Whitmire.

Authorities launched a manhunt for Davis and issued a Blue Alert to mobile devices across the state, warning citizens to avoid approaching Davis and to call 911 if they had information about his whereabouts.

Hours later, U.S. Marshall K-9 Rocky alerted law enforcement to Davis’ location inside a dumpster near the scene. Officers approached and Davis opened fire, striking Rocky in the neck two times. Police returned fire, killing Davis.

“The suspect succumbed to his injuries inside the dumpster,” said Chief Noe Diaz of the Houston Police Department.

In a press conference, officials said the task force was serving an aggravated assault with a deadly weapon warrant out of Brazoria County.

Rocky was airlifted to an animal hospital where he is currently in stable condition.

Vargas served the Brazoria County Sheriff’s Department for 17 years. He also served with the U.S. Marshal’s Gulf Coast Violent Offenders Task Force. He leaves behind a wife and three children.

The Brazoria County Sheriff’s Office wrote:

We are deeply saddened to share the loss of Deputy Jesus Vargas, who faithfully served the Brazoria County Sheriff’s Office for 17 years. Deputy Vargas was shot and killed in the line of duty. 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.

BCSO has set up a memorial outside of their office at 3602 CR 45, Angleton, TX, and is inviting people who want to pay their respects to Deputy Vargas to stop by.

Joseph Trimmer

Joseph is a journalist for Texas Scorecard reporting from Houston. With a background in business, Joseph is passionate about covering issues impacting citizens.

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