New details have emerged in the shooting of Dallas ISD Police Officer Justin Jones, who was wounded last week after a man he was attempting to help allegedly grabbed the officer’s firearm and shot him in a Sam’s Club parking lot.
Jones, 39, is expected to recover and was alert and talking on Tuesday while remaining in intensive care. He underwent surgery after being shot in the leg, with the bullet striking his femoral artery.
Officer Was Trying To Help Man Walking Along LBJ
The shooting happened shortly before 11 a.m. Thursday in a parking lot between Walmart and Sam’s Club in the 4100 block of I-635 near Midway Road.
According to an arrest affidavit, Jones was on routine patrol around 10:39 a.m. when a man flagged him down and reported that the man’s coworker, identified as 27-year-old Jose Santiago Pantoja-Morales, had gotten out of a vehicle and was walking along the center median of the LBJ Freeway.
Jones located Pantoja-Morales around 10:41 a.m. and brought him into his patrol vehicle, apparently in an effort to get him off the busy freeway and to a safer location. Jones then drove to the nearby shopping center.
Struggle Began in Parking Lot
The affidavit states that Jones noticed Pantoja-Morales going through his work bag and removing items while sitting in the back of the patrol vehicle. Jones got out of the vehicle and took an item from Pantoja-Morales. The officer then pulled him from the back seat and attempted to turn him toward the patrol vehicle.
The two began struggling and eventually went to the ground, with Jones on top, according to the affidavit. During the struggle, Pantoja-Morales allegedly gained control of Jones’ firearm and shot the officer in the right leg.
The gunshot struck Jones’ femoral artery, causing serious injury.
Suspect Said He Shot Officer To Escape
Dallas police located Pantoja-Morales about a mile away in the north alley of 400 High Summit, according to the affidavit.
He briefly ran from officers before surrendering at gunpoint. Investigators reported seeing blood on his boots and shirt.
After being taken into custody, Pantoja-Morales admitted that he took Jones’ firearm and shot the officer “so that he could get away,” according to the affidavit.
He is charged with aggravated assault of a public servant and is being held on $500,000 bond. Jail records also show an immigration hold.
Fellow Officer Helped Save Jones’ Life
Another Dallas ISD police officer arrived at the scene and applied a tourniquet to Jones’ leg, an action officials believe helped save his life.
Dallas Fire-Rescue also had blood available in the ambulance and administered it while transporting Jones to Parkland Memorial Hospital.
Jones underwent surgery and was initially listed in critical condition before being stabilized.
He has served with the Dallas ISD Police Department for 16 years and is assigned to W.T. White High School.
Dallas ISD praised Jones for his actions and thanked the community for its support.
“Officer Jones’ actions reflect the true heart of our Dallas ISD police force and security officers,” the district said, WFAA reported. “Day in and day out, our officers answer the call with selflessness and courage to protect students, staff, and neighbors.”
The investigation remains ongoing. Walmart, which owns Sam’s Club, said it is cooperating with law enforcement.