Shooting victim on fallen Brazoria Co. deputy: 'I owe him my life'
Shooting victim speaks about slain Brazoria Co. deputy
Before shooting and killing Brazoria County deputy Jesus Vargas, Robert Lee Davis was accused of shooting another man. The victim in that shooting spoke to FOX 26 and shared his connection with Deputy Vargas.
HOUSTON - Robert Lee Davis died in a dumpster by officer gunfire.
It was hours into a manhunt for Davis after he shot Brazoria County Deputy Jesus Vargas in the head, killing him, earlier that day.
Davis also shot a police K9 Rocky when the dog found him in the dumpster.
Vargas was attempting to arrest Davis for a warrant when he was shot. Officials say that warrant was for an aggravated assault charge he got for shooting a man in October.
Robert Lee Davis shooting victim speaks
The backstory:
Mike Howard says he was the victim of that shooting.
Mike Howard
"He didn’t have any regard for human life and as you can see he was ready to die," said Howard.
He says mutual connections put him in contact with Davis’ wife, and he brought the couple his SUV to have the brakes worked on.
He says the SUV disappeared, so he made a police report – and says he believes this shooting was out of retaliation for that report.
In October, he says he was at a 7-Eleven in Brazoria County with his 17-year-old son, when Davis saw Howard and pulled out his gun.
Robert Lee Davis III aka Sean Christopher Davis
"He immediately pulled out the gun, cocked it and put it in my face. I turned to walk back in the store, I felt boom boom, he shot me in both legs. I almost fell in the arms of my son," he said.
Nearly bleeding out with a bullet in each leg, Howard was flown to the Hospital by Life Flight. He says the first face he saw when he came to, was Deputy Vargas.
"He says, hey trooper, you’re going to be ok. Don't worry about it, we're going to catch him," he said.
Vargas made good on his word and located Davis, but at the ultimate expense.
"He did a justice for the world to get a demon off the streets. I feel a debt of gratitude, I felt like I owe him my life," said Howard.
Services for Deputy Jesus "Jesse" Vargas
Jesus Vargas (Source: Brazoria County Sheriff's Office)
Monday, January 20
Public Viewing
- Time: 10 AM to Noon
- Where: St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 110 E South St, Alvin, TX 77511
Service
- Time: Noon
- Where: St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 110 E South St, Alvin, TX 77511
Honors
- Time: Following the service
- Where: South Park Cemetery, 1310 N Main St, Pearland, TX 77581
How you can support the Vargas family
The 100 Club of Brazoria County presented a check of $50,000 to support the family of Deputy Vargas.
What you can do:
According to the sheriff's office, the 100 Club of Brazoria County set up an account to support Vargas's family during this difficult time.
Checks should be made payable to 100 Club of Brazoria County and mailed to this address:
100 Club of Brazoria County
Attn: Vargas Family
P.O. Box 1596
Lake Jackson, TX 77566
If you want to make an online donation, please click here.
If you'd like to show your support in another way by donating food or items or volunteering your time, contact Josie Lucas at 979-264-2191. If you have any questions, also reach out to Lucas at the number provided.