Past procession along I-635 after an officer’s murder. Photo by Danny Fulgencio

Tuesday afternoon: An off-duty officer called 9-1-1 to request backup for an arrest at the Home Depot on Forest Central Drive (Forest Lane east of Central Expressway), according to the Lake Highlands Advocate website.

About 4 p.m. Tuesday: Loss prevention employee at Home Depot, Scott Painter, noticed a man behaving suspiciously, as if he might be plotting a theft. He mentioned as much to an off-duty officer who discovered outstanding warrants for the man. (Police haven’t said what charges he was wanted for when police encountered him). He detained the suspect, identified as Armando Juarez, 29 and called Dallas police to confirm and make the arrest, according to an affidavit. The off-duty officer was headed back to the Home Depot offices when he heard the “shots fired” broadcast over the police radio.

Officer Rogelio Santander

4:12 p.m.: All hell broke loose — both responding officers, Rogelio Santander and 26-year-old Crystal Almeida, partners since day one on the job, immediately took gunfire upon arrival. The Home Depot security guard also was hit. Body camera footage showed Almeida and Santander were trying to place the suspect into custody when he removed his hands from his pockets, drew a handgun and shot the officers, the affidavit said. Almeida, Santander and Painter were transported to Presbyterian Hospital, NBC reported.

“It’s unclear how the shooting unfolded but authorities began looking for the gunman after he fled in a white pickup,” police said at a press conference.

Officer Crystal Almeida

4:12-4:15 p.m.: “Assist officer with ambulance” call received as the two officers and one civilian lie bleeding. Both officers were in their 20s and graduates of the Dallas ISD school district. “It’s unclear how the shooting unfolded but authorities began looking for the gunman after he fled in a white pickup,” police said at a press conference.

About 4:30: Suspect led police on a five-hour, high speed chase through the streets of Dallas, reports the Dallas Morning News. 

Suspect

9:15 p.m.: Juarez, the suspect in the shootings, had been spotted in southeast Dallas driving the truck in which he’d reportedly fled the Home Depot. Officers pursued him to a neighborhood near Love Field, where he was swarmed by dozens of officers. He and a female passenger were taken into custody, the Morning News continues. Police arrested Armando Juarez, 29, on a murder charge, two charges of aggravated assault on a police officer and two previous felony theft charges.

9:30 p.m., about: Mayor Mike Rawlings along with police chief

8:05 a.m. Wednesday: Officer Rogelio Santander died from his injuries.

Later Wednesday morning: Almeida and Painter were still in critical condition, but they were making “remarkable recoveries,” Dallas Police Chief U. Renee Hall said in a press conference.

We will continue to update as developments take place.