Sheriff's K-9 killed in Gardena SWAT standoff
A K-9 Detail dog with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Dept. was shot and killed in the line of duty during a SWAT standoff early Thursday night.
Gardena Police said a suspect wanted in connection with a shooting in the neighborhood had been isolated for about 33 hours in an apartment on the 1800 block of W. 145th St. Gardena Police requested assistance from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Dept. at 5:42 p.m. Thursday.
L.A. County Sheriff's Special Enforcement Bureau and a K-9 unit responded. The sheriff's team reportedly forced their way into the apartment, and the suspect fired, killing the K-9. Deputies returned fire, killing the suspect, according to the department. A gun was recovered at the scene.
K-9 "Jack" had been with the department for four years.
"K9 Jack's actions saved the lives of numerous members of the Bureau during the operation," L.A. County Sheriff Robert Luna said in a tweet.
Luna said the dog, a Belgium Malinois imported from the Netherlands, was a "devoted member" of the Special Enforcement Bureau for four years, joining the K-9 Detail in March 2019.
"K9 Jack saved numerous lives and courageously protected members of the Bureau during countless tactical operations," Luna said.
Anyone with information about this shooting was asked to call the L.A. County Sheriff's Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500. Anonymous tips can be called in to (800) 222-8477 or at lacrimestoppers.org.
