On November 5, Texas law enforcement officers took Bobby Michael Dennis into custody on charges of attempted capital murder of a peace officer, interference with a police service animal and two counts of obstruction or retaliation. He was booked into the Cherokee County Jail with a bond of $1.3 million. This particular meeting appears to have been less eventful than his previous encounter with law enforcement.

The manhunt for Dennis started on November 2, when a Jacksonville K-9 Officer Elyse Hand spotted him as she patrolled a neighborhood. Recognizing him as a wanted suspect, she exited her car and called out to him. Dennis moved behind his residence, and Hand soon realized he was holding an AR-15. She ran to her patrol unit to take cover, while Dennis began firing at her.

One of the rounds struck her canine partner, who was still in the car. Hand then ran toward a nearby residence, but was struck in the arm as she ran. She fell to the ground, but managed to get back up and flee into a wooded area, falling again as she attempted to radio for help. Dennis continued firing at her, hitting her in the leg while she was on the ground. 

Fortunately, Dennis ceased the attack and fled the area as backup units approached. The injured officer was taken to the hospital for treatment. 

In a press conference on November 4, Jacksonville Police Chief Steven Markasky said, “This is not a misunderstanding. This is a targeted, intentional attack on a uniformed police officer for doing her job.” 

Markasky pointed out, “It is important to note that at no point during this incident did the officer fire or even draw her weapon. Her right arm was incapacitated from a gunshot wound almost immediately. She was in full retreat while under heavy fire. The K-9 was also never deployed from the vehicle.” He added that Dennis endangered not only the officer and K-9, but also the entire neighborhood, showing a “complete disregard for human life.”

A statewide Blue Alert was issued and Jacksonville public schools were closed for two days as numerous law enforcement agencies participated in the search for Dennis. Governor Greg Abbott announced a $10,000 reward for information leading to his arrest. The Cherokee County Crimestoppers organization also offered a $1,000 reward, but it was soon increased to $11,000 when an anonymous donor kicked in an additional $10,000. Dennis was eventually found at a homemade bunker in Cuney with an illegal firearm; four other firearms were found in a search of his Jacksonville home.

Dennis has been convicted of three past felonies for aggravated robbery, aggravated assault and possession of a controlled substance. On November 14, the FBI announced federal charges against him for being a felon in possession of a firearm. If convicted, he faces up to life in prison. 

Hand underwent two surgeries before being released from the hospital and continues to recover from the serious injuries to her leg and arm. Her canine partner, Renzo, underwent two surgeries at an emergency vet clinic and is recovering smoothly.