A police K-9 was shot by a suspect who was later killed in a shootout with officers following a traffic stop in Burbank.
According to the Burbank Police Department, the deadly incident occurred Sunday after officers conducted a traffic stop on Buena Vista Street near the northbound 5 Freeway exit around 6:40 p.m.
Police added that an armed passenger in that car ran onto the freeway exit ramp.
The suspect “jumped over a freeway embankment wall into a nearby residential area…during the search, a dog located the suspect. The suspect fired multiple shots, striking the dog, and then fled on foot,” police added in a statement.
The K-9 was rushed to an emergency veterinarian, but he did not survive.
Police later identified the dog as “Spike” who was described as “an intelligent and dedicated partner.” He recently celebrated his birthday.
The suspect fled into the neighborhood after allegedly shooting the dog, prompting a heavy response from additional K-9 units, crisis negotiators and SWAT teams.
At some point, police said, the suspect began shooting at officers and hit patrol cars parked nearby.
The police returned fire, wounding and killing the unidentified suspect. A pistol was found at the scene.
