Suspect Dead, K-9 Killed In 'Exchange Of Gunfire': Kane Sheriff

BATAVIA — A vehicle pursuit from South Elgin to Batavia ended in what authorities described as an exchange of gunfire that left a suspect dead, as well as a police dog, according to the Kane County Sheriff's Office.

Just before 3:45 p.m., the sheriff's office warned motorists to avoid the area surrounding the Walmart at Fabyan Parkway and Randall Road in Batavia, citing a large police presence and an ongoing investigation.

At around 5:15 p.m., Kane County Sheriff's Officials confirmed that a suspect had been killed, along with sheriff's K-9 Hudson.

The incident unfolded after the sheriff's office said they received information regarding a carjacking in Aurora, the sheriff's office said. "Deputies learned of the vehicle description, description of the male occupant, along with the information that the subject was armed with a handgun," police said in a news release. "It should be noted that the individual identified in the Honda Accord was the same individual that had fled from other officers from various agencies in days prior."

Using license plate readers, Kane County officials said officials were able to locate the carjacked vehicle, a gray Honda Accord, in South Elgin.

After the vehicle fled an attempted traffic stop, a deputy initiated a pursuit of the Accord that led all the way from Randall Road and Silver Glen Road in South Elgin to Batavia, where police said the suspect got out of his vehicle and presented a handgun.

At the same time, police said the Kane County Sheriff's K-9 Hudson was deployed, biting the male suspect and engaging in a struggle with him.

Officials said deputies "returned fire" at the suspect, who was pronounced dead at Delnor Hospital.

K-9 Hudson was also killed in what an official described as "a big loss for us," saying Hudson's handler is "absolutely devastated."

Hudson, a Dutch shepherd, was a narcotics detection K-9 and was named in honor of an Illinois State trooper who was killed in the line of duty.

Kane County State's Attorney Jamie Mosser declined to give details on the deceased suspect, saying the major crimes task force is handling the investigation.

No other injuries were reported, but three deputies were taken to an area hospital to be checked out as part of protocol.

In a July 2021 Facebook post, the sheriff's office recognized K-9 Hudson and his handler in an "Employee Spotlight of the Week," writing, "Detective Luke Weston and K-9 Hudson. Earlier this week, the team worked with FBI and DEA officials to make this stop on over 2 pounds of cocaine coming into Kane County. These two are responsible for 52 major arrests so far this year, along with the seizure of 10 illegal firearms associated with those crimes."

The Kane County Major Crimes Task Force is looking to identify eyewitnesses to the incident. Officials are asking anyone with information or video footage to contact the tip line at 331-385-6314. Callers should leave their name and phone number and expect a detective to call them back, according to an alert.