A 17-year-old girl in Texas, Desmariah Ramos, has been arrested for allegedly aiding her 18-year-old boyfriend, Darrin King, as he fled law enforcement during a foot chase that led to the shooting and serious injury of a police K-9 dog.
Ramos faces charges related to hindering the apprehension or prosecution of King, who is facing several serious felony charges, including assault with a deadly weapon and retaliation.
The Foot Chase and Shooting Incident
The incident began on May 10, 2023, when officers from the Waco Police Department responded to a call about a civil disturbance involving a firearm at a residence on Homan Avenue. Upon arrival, King fled from officers, prompting them to deploy a K-9 to pursue him.
During the chase, King allegedly produced a firearm and fired multiple shots at the K-9, hitting the dog twice in the neck and once in the chest. The dog, named Andor, survived the shooting after undergoing extensive medical treatment and is now being retired.
Federal prosecutors later revealed that the firearm used in the shooting was equipped with a machine gun conversion device, commonly known as a “Glock switch,” allowing it to fire in fully automatic mode. King was eventually captured by law enforcement, and the firearm was recovered.
Ramos’ Involvement in the Escape
As authorities continued to search for King, Ramos is accused of attempting to assist him by sending texts with updates on police movements. Investigators reviewed the phones of both King and Ramos, discovering messages where Ramos allegedly informed King of the location of officers.
In one message, Ramos reportedly told King, “They right there near u,” and later texted him, “They at the end of both sides,” as he hid from law enforcement.
Authorities claim that Ramos was actively helping King avoid arrest while he was evading police. These actions have led to the charges against her for hindering the apprehension of a fugitive.
The Charges Against King and Ramos
Darrin King faces multiple charges, including six counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, interference with a public service animal, evading arrest, resisting arrest, and retaliation. In addition, King has been federally charged with possessing an unregistered firearm, due to the machine gun conversion device on his weapon.
King is currently being held in the McLennan County Jail on a $2.5 million bond. Ramos, on the other hand, is not listed among the jail’s inmates as of Monday afternoon, and it remains unclear when she will face formal charges.
The Impact on K-9 Officer Andor
The shooting of the police K-9, Andor, was a major aspect of the case, as the dog was seriously injured during the pursuit. After undergoing medical procedures, Andor survived but will be medically retired from active duty.
The incident has highlighted the risks faced by law enforcement K-9s, who are often placed in dangerous situations during high-speed chases and arrests.
Ongoing Investigation
The McLennan County District Attorney’s Office has not responded to multiple requests for comment regarding the formal charges against Ramos. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are continuing to assess the full extent of the involvement of both Ramos and King in this violent and dangerous situation.
