A 17-year-old boy allegedly shot and killed a police dog in Georgia over the weekend. According to CNN, after the teen shot the dog and pointed his gun at officers, police responded by returning fire. The teen also died.
Teen shoots police dog in Georgia
The incident occurred around 2 a.m. on Saturday in Jonesboro, approximately 17 miles south of Atlanta. Officers responded to reports of suspicious activity at a local motel. Upon the authorities’ arrival, three males fled the scene. Two of the suspects were apprehended and arrested. However, the third remained at large.
Jonesboro police contacted the Clayton County Police Department to assist with the search. The county sent a K-9 unit. One of the police dogs soon discovered the suspect hiding in the woods and alerted officers. Police demanded that the suspect surrender. Unfortunately, the suspect pulled out a handgun and started shooting, hitting the police dog.
Officers rushed the dog, named Waro, to an emergency veterinary clinic for treatment. Sadly, Waro died due to his injuries.
However, the ordeal wasn’t over. Police spent several more hours trying to apprehend the suspect. When they again demanded that he drop his weapon, he pointed his gun at officers. Police shot the suspect and he died.
In a news conference, Clayton County Police Department Assistant Chief Bruce Parks identified the teen suspect as Stephon Ford.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is now investigating.
Georgia police honor fallen K-9
Police shared the events that led to Waro’s death in a video on Facebook.
Commenters mourned the fallen pup.
“Good boy forever Waro you did your duty protecting the community,” one wrote.
“You gave the ultimate sacrifice K9 Waro. R.I.P.,” another said.
“My heartfelt condolences to your department, the citizens of your community and especially to Waro’s handler and partner. Rest easy good boy,” another wrote.
As devastating as this story is, K-9 deaths are actually rare. According to Officer Down Memorial Page, which tracks fallen police officers and K-9s, Waro was the 15th police dog killed on duty in the U.S. so far this year.
