Dallas Police Chief Eddie Garcia held a press conference Monday morning to give an update on Friday’s officer-involved shooting, previously reported by The Dallas Express.
Corporal Scott Jay and his canine partner Figor were wounded in the shootout, and a suspect, 20-year-old Brian Casillas, was killed.
In the video released from the bodycam worn by Officer Jay, what looked like blood was visible on the ground as K-9 Officer Figor searched through a wooded area for Casillas, who allegedly shot two family members during a dispute Thursday night.
Moments later, Figor engaged Casillas, who apparently fired at Figor.
The bullet struck the K-9 officer in the chest and exited through his shoulder. Casillas then turned his attention to Officer Jay and reportedly fired at him, striking Jay in the leg and the center of his ballistic vest.
Though injured, Jay returned fire, striking Casillas multiple times and killing him.
It was not clear how many rounds Officer Jay fired at Casillas.
The video then showed officers Jay and Figor making their way toward officers staged at a nearby home. The officers repeatedly told Officer Jay to sit down so they could apply a tourniquet to his wound, but before they could do so, Officer Jay instructed officers to take care of his canine partner.
“God wasn’t ready for two warriors that night, and these warriors did their duty in the face of evil,” Garcia said.
Late Thursday night, according to Garcia, Casillas had allegedly shot two family members inside a home in the 2900 block of Cypress Avenue after they confronted him for playing loud music.
“The two victims locked themselves inside a room and called police,” Garcia told reporters. “Casillas ran from the scene.”
Dallas Fire Rescue was called to the scene and transported both victims to a nearby hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
More officers arrived at the scene to search for Casillas, including a police helicopter and a canine unit.
Garcia told reporters that at 12:27 a.m., officers received information about a 911 phone call. The caller said a man who appeared to be covered in blood knocked on a door in the 9500 block of Briggs Street.
Garcia said that shortly afterward, officers found a shoe and a blood trail just two blocks away. Officers Jay and Figor were summoned to the scene to search the nearby wooded area.
Chief Garcia spoke about K-9 Officer Figor with great pride.
“The work of this dog that night is nothing short of heroic. Our canines are invaluable members of this police department and helped save his partner’s life. He did everything he was trained to do and exceeded all expectations of the canine partner and as a member of the Dallas Police Department,” Garcia said.
Garcia then spoke about Officer Jay and his actions.
“After the exchange of gunfire, Senior Corporal Jay pulled himself and his dog from the creek bed … having been shot in the chest and bleeding from a lower-body gunshot wound. The commitment these two have to one another was like no other bond,” Garcia said.
Officer Jay and K-9 Officer Figor are expected to fully recover from their injuries.
The Dallas Police Special Investigations Unit is leading the ongoing investigation.
Murder continues to climb in Dallas, which has seen a 23% increase in murders/non-negligent homicides year-over-year, according to the Dallas Police Department’s Daily Crime Brief.
