JACKSONVILLE — Bobby Michael Dennis, a Jacksonville man wanted for shooting a police officer and the officer's K-9 unit, was taken into custody on Wednesday.
According to the Jacksonville Police Department, the arrest took place on the night of Wednesday, Nov. 5, when multiple law enforcement agencies assisted Jacksonville cops in serving a search warrant at a property west of the Jacksonville city limits. Dennis was immediately located in a wooded area and surrendered to law enforcement.
He was then transported to the Cherokee County Jail, and the news release from Jacksonville PD noted that Dennis was handcuffed using the injured officer's handcuffs.
According to reports, Dennis, a 64-year-old man, was wanted on multiple charges after both the officer and K-9 were wounded in a shooting incident, after which, he fled on foot.
The incident occurred Sunday evening in Jacksonville, and on Monday, Gov. Greg Abbott announced a $10,000 reward for information leading to Dennis’s arrest. Abbott also announced that Dennis was added to the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) 10 Most Wanted Fugitives list.
Allegedly, Dennis opened fire with an AR-15 type of firearm, and fired several rounds that pierced the vehicle that the officer sought cover behind, along with her K-9 unit.
The officer, whose name has not been made public, attempted to run toward a nearby residence for additional cover, but while doing so, a round struck her right arm and caused her to fall to the ground, while Dennis continued to fire. She is listed in stable condition, after undergoing surgery at a Tyler hospital. The K-9 officer is also recovering.
Dennis is now charged with attempted capital murder of a peace officer, which is a first-degree felony offense; interference with a police service animal and two counts of obstruction/retaliation.
According to court records, Dennis had filed a lawsuit against the City of Jacksonville days prior to the shooting, but a federal judge had dismissed the case for failure to prosecute.
