Murrieta K9 Survives Shot To Jaw Before Deadly SWR OIS: Cops

MENIFEE, CA — Riverside County sheriff's deputies Sunday shot and killed a Menifee man who had stolen a vehicle at gunpoint and led law enforcement officers on a chase in Southwest Riverside County before ultimately shooting a police K9 in the face, according to police reports.

The deputy-involved shooting occurred at about 6:30 a.m. at the intersection of Menifee Road and Garland Lane, where the pursuit ended, according to Deputy Mike Vasquez. The victim, who has since been identified as Ysidro Osornio-Velasquez of Menifee, was pronounced dead at the scene. He was 32 years old.

The incident began at about 3:50 a.m. when deputies from the Perris sheriff's station received a report of an attempted carjacking around Scott and Hahn roads in Menifee by a suspect who brandished a weapon and shot at the victim as he fled the scene, Vasquez said. The injured victim was treated at a hospital.

Then, about an hour later, a second carjacking was reported in the same area, with a similar suspect description, according to Vasquez.

"The suspect fled the location in the victim's white BMW sedan," Vasquez said in a news release. "The vehicle was located in the city of Lake Elsinore and when deputies attempted to stop the vehicle a pursuit ensued."

The chase went into a residential neighborhood, and Murrieta police joined in the efforts to catch the man, officials said. When the suspect stopped the vehicle in Menifee "he produced a firearm and a deputy/officer involved shooting occurred," Vasquez said.

"During the apprehension, K-9 Mick was shot by the suspect and sustained a gunshot wound to his lower jaw and neck," Murrieta police said on Facebook.

The pup was rushed into the emergency vet, and he survived the shooting, police said.

"K-9 Mick has already been released and is currently resting at home with his handler," police said. "K-9 Mick is expected to make a full recovery and return to active duty soon."

Police added that they were proud of their four-legged helper.

"The fact that no officers or deputies sustained any injuries were in large part because of K-9 Mick’s involvement," Murrieta police said. "Mick and his brothers, Buck, Pak and Duke work hard every day to serve and protect the residents of Murrieta and surrounding cities. We are lucky to have them."

The deputies and officers involved in the shooting were place on administrative leave per department policies and the shooting was under investigation, Vasquez said.

— City News Service contributed to this report