Murrieta Police K-9 recovering after being shot by wanted suspect
RIVERSIDE COUNTY, Calif. (FOX11) - A K-9 with the Murrieta Police Department is recovering after being shot Sunday morning.
Around 3:50 a.m. deputies received a report of an attempted carjacking in the area of Scott Road and Hahn Road.
According to the Riverside County Sheriff's Office the suspect brandished a weapon and attempted to take the victim's vehicle. The victim then fled the scene at which time the suspect shot at him.
About an hour later deputies responded to another report of a carjacking nearby. They say the same suspect from earlier was involved.
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The suspect stole a white BMW sedan and fled the area. Deputies located the vehicle in the city of Lake Elsinore and a pursuit ensued.
They called in assistance from the Murrieta Police Department. The Riverside County Sheriff's Office says the pursuit ended in the 32000 block of Garland Lane.
K-9 Mick was deployed to assist officers and deputies in apprehending the carjacking suspect. During that time the suspect fired a shot, hitting K-9 Mick in the lower jaw and neck.
A deputy-involved shooting then occurred, the suspect was pronounced dead on location.
K-9 Mick was taken to an emergency vet with non-life threatening injuries. He has already been released and is resting at home with his handler.
He is expected to make a full recovery and return to work shortly.
"We are very proud of K-9 Mick's performance. The fact that no officers or deputies sustained any injuries were in large part because of K-9 Mick's involvement" said the Murrieta Police Department in an online post .