Police previously offered a reward for the whereabouts of Damian Rodriguez.

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Update #3: 3:09 p.m. 

Premont Chief of Police Ricardo Garcia released a statement today, detailing the manhunt that took place over the last day with suspect Damian Rodriguez. 

Garcia said Rodriguez was arrested at about 11:40 a.m. at a residence in Premont on Friday after intelligence and surveillance indicated he was inside. Rodriguez was wanted on multiple outstanding warrants, including several counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, aggravated assault of a peace officer and terroristic threat.

Rodriguez faces four counts of aggravated assault on a peace officer, a terroristic threat charge, a marijuana possession charge and a probation violation, according to Garcia. 

Garcia said officers were notified around 8 p.m. on Wednesday of a threat made against a local officer, prompting a terroristic threat investigation. Rodriguez was also wanted for questioning in a deadly conduct case tied to an incident the day before.

During follow-up efforts to locate him, Garcia said Rodriguez fired a round that narrowly missed Premont officers, leading to additional charges of aggravated assault on a public servant. Police then requested assistance from local, state and federal agencies.

Garcia said several Texas Department of Public Safety troopers later had multiple rounds fired toward them at close range. No injuries were reported.

A task force organized by Premont police — including DPS special operations units, negotiators, troopers, aircraft and K-9 teams, the U.S. Marshals Service Gulf Coast Violent Offender Fugitive Task Force, ATF, U.S. Border Patrol, the Jim Wells and Brooks county sheriff’s offices and the Falfurrias Police Department — executed the arrest Tuesday.

Garcia said DPS Special Operations Group officers made the initial tactical contact and secured Rodriguez. A loaded AR-15 rifle was recovered.

Rodriguez was transferred to Premont police and transported to the Jim Wells County Sheriff’s Office. Garcia said the arrest was made without injury.

Garcia thanked nearly 100 officers and agents who assisted in the operation.


Falfurrias police say they have apprehended Damian Rodriguez. 

This is a breaking news story and will be updated as more information is released.


As of Thursday evening, the Falfurrias Police Department announced in a Facebook post that the reward for information leading to the suspect’s arrest has been increased to $3,500. 

The Freer Police Department is also contributing to the cash reward.

The Premont Police Department is searching for a man accused of making a terroristic threat against a local law enforcement officer and fired shots at officers during a search on Wednesday night.

PPD said Damian Rodriguez is also wanted for questioning in a felony deadly conduct case from the previous day. 

During the search, police reported that Rodriguez fired, narrowly missing officers, and later fired shots near Texas state troopers. No injuries were reported.

In a joint effort to find the suspect, in a Facebook post on Thursday, the Falfurrias Police Department says cash reward of up to $1,000 is being offered for information that leads to the arrest of Rodriguez.

Multiple agencies assisted in the response, including the Texas Department of Public Safety, Texas Rangers, U.S. Border Patrol, BORTAC, and local sheriff’s offices. 

Police say Rodriguez remains at large and should be considered armed and dangerous. If you have any information on his location, immediately contact Jim Wells County Sheriff’s Office dispatch at 361-668-0341.

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