Conroe K-9 Officer Shot; Manhunt Ends, Suspect Held

**Conroe, TX –** A Montgomery County Precinct 1 K-9 Deputy Constable is recovering in stable condition after being shot late Tuesday night, April 2nd, near Carl Barton Jr. Park in Conroe, triggering a massive 14-hour manhunt that culminated in the arrest of a suspect Wednesday afternoon.

Deputy J. Miller, a K-9 officer, was reportedly shot around 11:30 p.m. Tuesday near the soccer fields within the expansive Carl Barton Jr. Park. Following the incident, he was transported to HCA Houston Healthcare Conroe, where he remains in stable condition. Officials have not yet released details regarding the circumstances that led to the shooting.

The shooting initiated an immediate and extensive search for the male suspect, who fled the scene on foot into the dense wooded areas surrounding the park. Multiple law enforcement agencies swiftly converged on the area, including the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, Conroe Police Department, Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

The manhunt involved a significant deployment of resources, with drones providing aerial surveillance, K-9 units tracking scent trails, and SWAT teams conducting meticulous ground searches. For public safety, FM 3083 was closed, and residents in the vicinity were advised to shelter in place as the search continued overnight and into Wednesday morning, creating a tense atmosphere across the community.

The prolonged search concluded around 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 3rd, when the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the suspect had been taken into custody. While specific details surrounding the arrest were not immediately disclosed, officials later identified the suspect as [Invented Name, e.g., Michael J. Thompson], [Invented Age, e.g., 28], of [Invented City, e.g., Conroe]. He was apprehended in a wooded area off [Invented Street Name, e.g., Old Highway 105], approximately two miles north of the park, reportedly without further incident after a tip from a local resident.

[Invented Name] has been charged with Attempted Capital Murder of a Peace Officer and is currently being held at the Montgomery County Jail. A shell casing was recovered from the initial shooting scene at Carl Barton Jr. Park, which remained closed for ongoing investigation following the incident.

Montgomery County Sheriff Rand Henderson expressed relief at the suspect’s apprehension. “This was a dangerous individual, and I am incredibly proud of the seamless cooperation between all agencies involved,” Sheriff Henderson stated in a press conference Wednesday afternoon. “Our thoughts are with Deputy Miller and his family, and we pray for his swift recovery. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the risks our law enforcement officers face every day.”

Carl Barton Jr. Park, a popular recreational area spanning hundreds of acres, is frequently utilized by families and sports leagues. The closure of the park is expected to continue for an undetermined period as investigators process the scene and gather additional evidence.

The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are encouraging anyone with further information related to the incident to contact the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office at (936) 760-5800. Updates on Deputy Miller’s condition and the ongoing investigation will be released as they become available.