Deputy Killed in Houston Shooting; Suspect on the Run

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — A Brazoria County deputy was fatally shot Wednesday while serving a warrant in southwest Houston, sparking a statewide manhunt for the suspect. The incident occurred shortly before noon on Stella Link Road, just north of the South Loop.

Deputy Jesus “Jesse” Vargas, a 17-year veteran of the Brazoria County Sheriff’s Office, was pronounced dead at Ben Taub Hospital. Vargas, who leaves behind a wife and three children, was part of the U.S. Marshal’s Gulf Coast Violent Offenders Task Force at the time of the shooting.

Authorities identified the suspect as Robert Lee Davis, also known as Sean Christopher Davis, a 56-year-old Black man weighing 220 pounds and standing 5 feet 10 inches tall. Davis was last seen wearing a blue Nike hoodie, jeans, and blue sneakers. A “Blue Alert” was issued statewide to aid in his capture.

“This afternoon we lost a local hero,” said Houston Mayor John Whitmire. “Deputy Vargas attempted to apprehend a repeat violent offender and lost his life. The suspect shot him as he approached to serve the warrant.”

Davis has a criminal history dating back to 1990, with his most recent arrest in December 2024 for aggravated sexual assault. The Houston Police Department urged the public to avoid the area and report any sightings of Davis to their Homicide Division or Crime Stoppers.

Helicopters from the Texas Department of Public Safety circled the scene as law enforcement set up a perimeter near the 9300 block of Stella Link Road. Nearby schools, including The Emery/Weiner School, were placed on lockdown as a precaution.

“If you see something, please say something,” Houston Police Chief Noe Diaz said. “We’ll make sure this person is brought to justice.”

Tipsters can contact Crime Stoppers anonymously at 713-222-TIPS (8477) or through their mobile app. A cash reward is being offered for information leading to Davis’s arrest.