Southwest
Houston manhunt ends: Suspect accused of fatally shooting deputy is shot and killed by police
A Houston manhunt ended Wednesday evening when police shot and killed the suspect they said fatally shot a deputy who was trying to serve a warrant.
Houston Police said 56-year-old Robert Lee Davis, also known as Christopher Davis, was wanted in connection to the deputy’s death.
“A short time ago, the suspect was shot by law enforcement officers behind the businesses near the original shooting scene here on Stella Link,” police said in a post on X. “The suspect is deceased.”
Houston Mayor John Whitmire and Houston Police Chief J. Noe Diaz said earlier in the day that Brazoria County Sheriff’s Deputy Jesus Jesse Vargas was killed after being shot in the head while serving a warrant on a repeat offender.
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Brazoria County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Jesus Vargas was shot and killed while serving a warrant on behalf of the U.S. Marshals. (Brazoria County Sheriff’s Office)
“This afternoon, we lost a local hero in Deputy Sheriff Vargas from the Brazoria County Sheriff’s Office,” Whitmire said.
The shooting happened in the parking lot of a Dollar General store at about 11:30 a.m.
Vargas and his partner were serving a warrant on the offender in the parking lot, and when they approached the fugitive’s vehicle, he reportedly opened fire and fled the scene.
Vargas was working as a member of the U.S. Marshal’s Gulf Coast Violent Offenders Task Force at the time of the shooting, according to authorities.
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Houston police said suspect Robert Lee Davis was shot and killed by police. (Houston Police)
Officials said Vargas was shot in the head.
Vargas 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, authorities said.
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The search for Robert Lee Davis ended Wednesday evening when police said he was shot and killed by authorities. Davis was wanted in connection to the fatal shooting of Brazoria County Sheriff’s Deputy Jesus Vargas. (Houston Police)
Harris County Constable Alan Rosen posted on X that his department was aiding in the search for the suspect.
“We are praying for the officer shot while serving a warrant this morning,” Rosen wrote. “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.
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Jurors deliberating the fate of the man accused of starting the Palisades Fire, one of the most destructive wildfires in California’s history, failed to reach a verdict Thursday afternoon, telling the judge they were deadlocked.
A spokesperson from the United States Attorney’s Office told KTLA that jurors will continue to deliberate until they reach a verdict or give up.
Jonathan Rinderknecht, 30, a former Uber driver and one-time Pacific Palisades resident, is accused of starting the Lachman Fire on New Year’s Eve. The fire continued to smolder underground for about a week, even after Los Angeles firefighters believed it had been extinguished.
Flames reignited on Jan. 7, erupting into the deadly Palisades Fire that killed 12 people and destroyed thousands of homes in the upscale community, authorities said.
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A courtroom sketch of Jonathan Rinderknecht, 29, during his initial court appearance on Oct. 23, 2025. (Bill Robles) -
The U.S. Dept. of Justice booking photo of Jonathan Rinderknecht over the Palisades Fire devastation in Malibu, California in January 2025 (AP).
Prosecutors argued that Rinderknecht deliberately set the fire, claiming he had grown increasingly resentful of wealthy residents and viewed Pacific Palisades as a symbol of that frustration.
“Their case, though circumstantial, is strong,” KTLA legal analyst Alison Triessl said. “The defense is relying on, can they (prosecutors) show beyond a reasonable doubt that Mr. Rinderknecht actually started this fire and it wasn’t the result of fireworks or some intervening cause.”
The defense argued there is no direct physical evidence tying Rinderknecht to the fire and said the prosecution’s case relies entirely on circumstantial evidence. Rinderknecht did not testify during the trial.
Defense attorney Steve Haney spoke outside the courthouse Wednesday about why he believes it will be difficult for prosecutors to prove how the fire started.
“The lack of scene preservation. The fact that they got there after a lot of the evidence was missing. Not a lot of direct evidence. This is a circumstantial case, which is always difficult as a prosecutor to prove,” Haney said.
Rinderknecht, who was arrested and indicted last October, faces up to 45 years in prison if found guilty of three arson counts, including destruction of property by means of fire, arson affecting property used in interstate commerce and timber set afire.
Tony Kurzweil contributed to this report
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