HOUSTON — The manhunt continued into Wednesday afternoon for a man accused of shooting and killing a deputy in southwest Houston earlier in the day.
According to authorities, the incident unfolded around 11:30 a.m. in a strip center off Stella Link Road just inside the South Loop. It appeared to have happened at a Dollar Tree where crime scene tape was seen surrounding the parking lot.
They’re searching for Sean Christopher Davis, also known as Rebert Lee Davis. He’s 56 years old, about 200 pounds and was last seen around 11:45 a.m. wearing a blue Nike hoodie with white letters, blue jeans and blue shoes. A Blue Alert was issued for Davis after the shooting. Click here to see photos of him.
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As of 4:30 p.m., Davis hadn’t been caught.
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Davis is accused of shooting Brazoria County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Jesus Vargas in the head. Vargas was taken to a Houston hospital where he was later pronounced dead.
Authorities said Vargas was working with the U.S. Marshal’s Gulf Coast Violent Offenders Task Force when he was shot.
“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 said in a statement released on Facebook.
We are deeply saddened to share the loss of Deputy Jesus Vargas, who faithfully served the Brazoria County Sheriff’s…
Posted by Brazoria County Sheriff’s Office on Wednesday, January 15, 2025
According to the Officer Down Memorial Page, it’s the 12th line of duty death for the Brazoria County Sheriff’s Office — the last happening in 2011 when a deputy died in a crash. The last time a BCSO deputy was killed by gunfire was in 1973.
According to court records, Davis has faced several previous criminal charges.
- 1990 – Burglary with motor vehicle
- 1991 – Evading arrest
- 1992 – Escape
- 1994 – Aggravated robbery causing serious bodily injury
- 2024 – Aggravated sexual assault
The aggravated sexual assault charge from last year is the warrant he was being served Wednesday when he opened fire on Vargas.
Anyone with information about his whereabouts is asked to call the Houston Police Department at 713-308-3600 or Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS (8477).
Here’s a statement released by the Brazoria County Sheriff’s Office:
“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.
“Our hearts go out to Deputy Vargas’s family, friends, and loved ones during this difficult time. We also stand with our Sheriff’s Office family as we grieve this loss together.
“We would like to thank HPD for pursuing this investigation for the suspect in this heinous act. We will release information on the BCSO Facebook page regarding memorial and remembrance services.
Deputy Vargas’s service and the positive impact he made in Brazoria County will never be forgotten. He will be greatly missed.”
Photos of Davis
According to a KHOU 11 News source, Davis was a passenger in a vehicle that was pulled over in the parking lot.
When Vargas and his partner got out and told him to get out of the car, Davis opened fire and ran.
The driver of the car was taken in for questioning, according to the source. It’s unclear if they’ll face any charges in connection with the shooting.
They also said the vehicle was being processed for evidence.
Update from officials
Houston Mayor John Whitmire and Houston Police Chief J. Noe Diaz provided an update outside Ben Taub Hospital around 2 p.m.
They, along with Brazoria County Sheriff Bo Stallman, said Vargas was shot in the head and killed while he and his partner were serving a warrant on Davis, who they called a repeat offender.
Stallman said Vargas was a 17-year veteran who was married with three children.
A witness said he heard the shots ring out.
“I was actually standing under the bridge there and basically I heard pow, pow, pow, pow, pow, pow, pow, about seven gunshots, so I thought it was my boss racing around or doing something … I walk over here, I guess there was a body in the parking lot,” Benjamin Newman said.
A perimeter was set up in the area as law enforcement authorities searched for Davis, who’s believed to be the only suspect in connection with the shooting. Diaz said there was no weapon recovered at the scene and Davis should be considered to be armed.
The United States Marshals initially said shots were fired while they were serving a warrant. They said the fugitive ran from the scene and, as of 4:30 p.m., was still at large.
People were advised to avoid the area while authorities searched for Davis.
In addition to Houston police and US Marshals, Texas Department of Public Safety units were at the scene as well as a Houston Police Department SWAT vehicle and Brazoria County Sheriff’s Office SUVs.
A Ford truck seemed to be the focus of officers as it sat in the parking lot with its doors open.
Gov. Abbott statement
Gov. Greg Abbott posted to social media about the shooting.
“We are heartbroken by the tragic loss of Brazoria County Sheriff’s Deputy Jesus Vargas, who was shot & killed in the line of duty today. Spoke with County Sheriff Stallman & offered the full support of Texas to hunt down this heinous criminal,” Abbott’s post on Facebook read.
Help for deputy’s family
The 100 Club is a nonprofit organization that supports surviving family members of fallen law enforcement officers and firefighters.
According to a release from The 100 Club, a $20,000 check was going to be given to Vargas’ family.
Houston ISD school impacted
A nearby elementary school was placed on secure status as the search took place although school officials said there was no direct threat to students.
Here’s the note sent to parents:
“This is an important message for Shearn Elementary parents from Principal Douglas. Our campus has been temporarily placed in secure status as a precautionary measure while police investigate suspicious activity in the area. There is no direct threat to your students. All students remain safe, our building is secure, and our instructional day is continuing as normal. If you have any questions, please contact our school at 713-295-5236. Again, this is an important message for Shearn Elementary parents from Principal Douglas.”