Police dog shot in the line of duty
Minneapolis, MN (US)Incident Date: Tuesday, Oct 9, 2007
County: Hennepin
Disposition: Alleged
Alleged: Hector Aguilar
A fleeing suspect and a K-9 dog are recovering from bullet wounds after a chase and shootout in south Minneapolis, according to authorities.
The car chase started near Montreal and West Seventh in St. Paul and after traveling along Interstate 494, it ended in a pile-up near Chicago and East Minnehaha Parkway in Minneapolis at around 6 p.m. Tuesday.
According to St. Paul Police Spokesperson Tom Walsh, officers were trying to arrest the suspect in a parking lot on West Seventh on the suspicion of drug possession when he fled in a pick-up truck.
Police refused to name the suspect but according to a bail bondsman on the scene, the suspect is Hector Aguilar.
St. Paul Police chased Aguilar onto Interstate 494 into Minneapolis where he crashed into an on-coming SUV near Chicago and East Minnehaha Parkway.
Authorities said Aguilar got out of his vehicle and started running on foot.
"The suspect turned, fired a shot at the police officer," said Walsh. Instead of hitting the officer, Aguilar hit the officers K-9 dog named Rico.
"The officer returned fired, struck the individual twice," said Walsh. Police said Aguilar sustained non-life-threatening injuries, being struck in the buttocks and hand.
Despite being shot twice, Rico the K-9 bit Aguilar and would not let go.
"The dog simply didn't let go," said Walsh.
Rico, a longtime veteran of the St. Paul Police Department, was taken to the University of Minnesota Emergency Veterinary Hospital. He is expected to survive.
Aguilar was taken to Hennepin County Medical Center and on Tuesday night was listed in serious condition.
The St. Paul Police officer who shot Aguilar is on administrative leave, which is standard procedure. References
« More cases in Hennepin County, MN
|
