JACKSONVILLE, Texas (KLTV) – A Jacksonville police officer was struck twice by bullets, once while trying to take cover, in a confrontation with a wanted suspect on Sunday.
The Jacksonville Police Department held a briefing on the second day of a manhunt for the suspect, Bobby Michael Dennis, 64.
Police Chief Steven Markasky said the officer was patrolling the area of Churchill Street when she saw Dennis, who had outstanding warrants.
The officer referred to the suspect as “Mr. Dennis” and asked him to surrender, Markasky said. Markasky said Dennis then started firing an AR-15 at the officer.
Markasky said the officer was struck once in the arm and she tried to take cover and she was then struck in the leg.
“During this whole time, the officer didn’t fire or draw her weapon,” Markasky said. “This was a targeted and intentional attack. His actions were nothing short of evil. The officer did nothing wrong.”
According to a Blue Alert, issued by Texas DPS, Dennis is 5′9″, 152 pounds, and has a gray 2000 GMC Sierra with license plates TRW3919.
Gov. Greg Abbott has also announced a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of Dennis in the shooting of the Jacksonville police officer.
Jacksonville ISD schools did not open on Monday or Tuesday due to the ongoing manhunt.
If you know where Dennis is, you are asked to share the tip in either of these two ways.
- Call the Texas Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-252-TIPS (8477)
- Submit a web tip through the Texas 10 Most Wanted website
The picture is a stock image released by DPS of a truck similar to Bobby Dennis’. It is a 2000 Gmc Sierra, gray, with TX tag TRW3919.(Texas DPS)
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