A newly released arrest affidavit is shedding light on the disturbing chain of events that led to a Dallas ISD police officer being shot with his own weapon during what began as a routine act of goodwill in North Dallas last week.
Court documents obtained from the Dallas Police Department identify 27-year-old Jose Pantoja-Morales as the suspect charged with aggravated assault on a public servant in connection with the shooting of Dallas ISD Officer Justin Jones.
According to the affidavit, Officer Jones was conducting a standard patrol when a bystander flagged him down to report a man walking along the center median of LBJ Freeway. Jones located Pantoja-Morales on foot near the highway and offered to give him a ride as a public service, with the destination being a nearby Walmart off LBJ Freeway.
The situation turned violent as Jones pulled into the Walmart parking lot. The officer noticed Pantoja-Morales reaching into a work bag and attempted to remove him from the patrol vehicle and position him facing the car. Pantoja-Morales resisted, and during the struggle he grabbed Jones’ service weapon and fired a single shot, striking the officer in the leg before fleeing on foot.
The affidavit states that Pantoja-Morales later admitted to taking the officer’s gun and shooting him deliberately in order to escape. He was apprehended approximately one mile from the scene after a brief attempt to evade law enforcement. Officers found him with blood visible on his boots and shirt at the time of his arrest.
Dallas ISD released a statement expressing relief over the officer’s condition and praising his dedication to service. The district noted that Officer Jones remains in stable condition and has begun his recovery. Officials described his actions as a reflection of the selflessness and courage shown daily by members of the Dallas ISD police force and security team.
Pantoja-Morales is currently being held in the Dallas County jail on a bond set at 500000 dollars. Jail records also indicate that an immigration hold has been placed on him in addition to the aggravated assault charge.
The incident has drawn attention to the risks faced by school district officers who regularly interact with the broader community beyond school campuses. Officer Jones was not responding to a school-related call at the time but was performing a voluntary act of assistance to a member of the public when the attack occurred.
The case remains active and prosecutors are expected to move forward with the aggravated assault on a public servant charge which carries significant penalties under Texas law given that the victim is a sworn peace officer.
