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DA Seeks Death Penalty For Suspect In Home Depot Shooting That Killed Dallas Officer

Louis DeLuca
/
The Dallas Morning News via AP
Law enforcement gather for Officer Rogelio Santander's funeral at Lake Pointe Church in Rockwall on May 1, 2018.

A man accused of killing a Dallas police officer at a Home Depot store and seriously injuring two others should be sentenced to death, Dallas County District Attorney Faith Johnson says.

Armando Luis Juarez, 30, was indicted by a Dallas County grand jury Tuesday on capital murder, attempted capital murder and other charges in the April 24 shooting. Johnson subsequently announced she would seek the death penalty.

“After thoroughly reviewing the evidence and careful consideration, I have decided I will seek the death penalty against Armando Juarez for the Capital Murder of Officer Rogelio Santander,” Johnson said in a statement.

Credit Dallas County Sheriff's Department via AP
Armando Juarez.

Authorities say Juarez was being detained as a shoplifting suspect at the Home Depot, located on Forest Central Drive in Northeast Dallas, when he pulled a handgun and shot two police officers and a store security officer.

Officer Rogelio Santander, 27, died April 25. The second officer, 26-year-old Crystal Almeida, and Home Depot employee Scott Painter were wounded. Almeida was released this weekend. Painter was released earlier this month.

Juarez was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. And he was indicted on two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon on a public servant for the shots he fired during the hourslong manhunt following the incident, according to the district attorney's office. 

The case will be tried by the Dallas County District Attorney’s Office Administrative Chief Dewey Mitchell. Lieutenant James Hallum of the Dallas County District Attorney’s Office will be the lead investigator on the case.

Full statement from District Attorney Faith Johnson

“Each and every day our law enforcement officers put their lives on the line so that we may enjoy the peace of mind that comes with safety and security. We are grateful for their commitment to duty and heartbroken for their loss.  After thoroughly reviewing the evidence and careful consideration, I have decided I will seek the death penalty against Armando Juarez for the Capital Murder of Officer Rogelio Santander. We continue to pray for Officer Santander’s family, and for the continued recovery of Officer Crystal Almeida and loss prevention officer Scott Painter. I want to thank the Grand Jury for their service and the entire Dallas Police Department for the hard work and dedication that they have put into this investigation, as well as the members of my staff who have also worked tirelessly to prepare for the Grand Jury. We remain steadfast and diligent in our vigorous pursuit of justice in this case. ”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.