Police Dog, Fleeing Suspect Killed During Pursuit In Valley

BURBANK, CA — A police dog has died after being shot by a fleeing suspect in Burbank who was later killed by pursuing officers, authorities said Sunday.

The shooting occurred after the suspect failed to yield while Burbank police were conducting a traffic stop at 6:40 p.m. Saturday in the 2400 block of Buena Vista Street near the northbound Golden State (5) Freeway on-ramp, according to Lt. Derek Green of the Burbank Police Department.

During the stop, a passenger fled the vehicle, ran up the freeway on- ramp and jumped over an embankment wall into a nearby residential neighborhood, Green said.

The officers remained with the driver and vehicle while requesting assistance. Additional police resources responded and a coordinated search was initiated using a police canine and a police helicopter.

The canine located the suspect hiding in nearby bushes and vegetation, who fired multiple rounds from a handgun, striking the animal then fleeing on foot, police said.

Officers recovered the wounded canine, Green said, while a systematic search for the suspect was initiated.

The dog was rushed to an emergency veterinarian but was pronounced dead.

Officers later saw the suspect hiding amid thick, overgrown terrain adjacent to the freeway, near the Buena Vista on-ramp. He was still armed within proximity of a residential neighborhood, Green said.

The effort transitioned to a joint operation between the Burbank and Glendale police departments and included additional K9 officers, crisis negotiators and the Burbank Police SWAT Team.

Multiple efforts were made to communicate with the suspect, encouraging him to surrender peacefully, police said. Officers established a containment and deployed less lethal systems as part of the effort. During these attempts, the suspect began shooting at police officers, striking police vehicles parked near the scene, Green said.

Officers from both the Burbank and Glendale police departments returned fire, hitting the suspect, who was pronounced dead at the scene. The handgun was recovered nearby, authorities said.

The suspect's identity was unknown and the shooting remains under investigation. The area around the Buena Vista on-ramp remained closed for the investigation Sunday morning.

Anyone with information about the case was urged to contact the Burbank Police Department Investigations Division at 818-238-3210.

Meanwhile, the fatally wounded K9, named Spike, was being mourned Sunday be police and members of the Burbank community.

"With profound sadness, we share the news of the passing of our beloved K9 Spike, who courageously gave his life in the line of duty after being struck by gunfire from an armed suspect," the BPD posted on social media. "K9 Spike was an intelligent and devoted partner, known for his gentle nature off duty and his tenacity and dedication while serving."

A memorial with flowers was seen outside the Burbank Police Station on Sunday morning.

City News Service