Police Dog Released From ICU After Being Shot By Fugitive: Authorities

Chicago IL

06 June, 2022

4:22 PM

Description

CHICAGO, IL — A K-9 is out of the intensive care unit and on the mend after the dog was shot last week during a fugitive operation in Chicago, according to authorities. The U.S. Marshals Great Lakes Regional Fugitive Task Force and Chicago police were executing an arrest warrant about 1:30 p.m. Thursday in the 5200 block of West Belmont Avenue when 19-year-old Tarrion Johnson opened fire, striking a deputy marshal and the K-9, according to police. The marshal was shot in the hand while the dog was hit in the upper body, WLS reported. The K-9 remained in intensive care Friday but was released from the veterinarian Saturday, according to the U.S. Marshals Service. A video posted on Twitter by the service shows the dog leaving the vet while a crowd, including many officers, salutes the K-9. The dog was shown wearing a fitted vest and was able to climb into a vehicle with assistance from a handler. Johnson, of the 4200 block of West Cullerton Avenue, is charged with five felony counts of first-degree attempted murder, two felony counts of attempted armed robbery, one felony count of injuring a police animal and one felony count of aggravated cruelty to animals, police said. A Chicago officer returned fire during Thursday's incident but did not hit anyone, according to WLS, which reported that the officer has been assigned to administrative duties for at least 30 days and that the Civilian Office of Police Accountability will open an investigation. Authorities took two suspects into custody in connection with Thursday's operation, according to WLS.