A man is in custody after a shootout outside a Home Depot in Dallas left three people in critical condition, Dallas News reports.
Armando Luis Juarez was being detained at a Home Depot location by an off-duty police officer and a loss prevention officer, reportedly on suspicion of shoplifting, when police were called. Once they arrived, Juarez started shooting, injuring Dallas Police Officers Crystal Almeida and Rogelio Santander as well as an unnamed loss prevention officer. Juarez fled the scene in a truck, leading to a five-hour search and high-speed chase, and portions of the public transit system were blocked off as the search went on throughout the evening.
The search would culminate in his arrest around 9:15 pm CST. A woman, whose name is being withheld, was also taken into custody at the scene.
All three wounded underwent surgery for their injuries, but Dallas Police Association president Michael Mata revealed one officer was in particularly bad condition. "He's holding in there, but the prognosis is not real positive," Mata said of Officer Satander. "[Officer Almeida] is still in serious, serious condition. She has sustained serious wounds. She is fighting. She is doing better than they suspected. ... But she still has a long ways to go."
Dallas Police Chief Renee Hall said Juarez is facing "multiple counts of aggravated assault on a police officer" and already had an outstanding felony theft warrant. "Going forward, we will make sure this individual is questioned and taken to Lew Sterrit jail for processing," she said.
According to court records, Juarez was arrested as recently as January on an unlawful use of a motor vehicle charge after being found in a stolen truck and also pleaded guilty in the past to attempted possession of a controlled substance.
Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings offered up his gratitude for how the situation was handled. "I want to thank our Dallas police tonight," he said. "They've taken a punch, and they've come out fighting."
Juarez is being held on $1,010,000 bond.
