K-9 and suspect dead after multiple pursuits in Utah
The incident began with a report of a man holding a woman hostage
By Suzie Ziegler
WEST JORDAN, Utah – A K-9 is dead and a suspect was fatally shot by police after a series of police pursuits in Utah on Thursday.
The incident began when police received a report that a woman was being held hostage by an armed man, reported FOX 13. The woman broke free and the man began to chase her, which kicked off a police pursuit. Police initiated two pursuits, but they were ultimately called off for safety reasons. Police managed to lay down spike strips during a third pursuit, which stopped the suspect’s car.
The man got out and began running while carrying a handgun, according to the report. Officers shot the suspect, who died at the scene. K-9 Maya, a 6-year-old Belgian Malinois of the West Jordan Police Department, was also killed at some point during the encounter. Officials expressed their condolences to the department and Maya’s handler, according to the report.
The incident remains under investigation.
REST IN PEACE, MAYA: Maya, a 6 1/2-year-old Belgian Malinois with the West Jordan Police Department, was shot and killed in the line of duty Thursday. A suspect in the incident was also shot and killed. https://t.co/IUOt0PTPC1 (📷: South Salt Lake Police Department) pic.twitter.com/FCV0riFjLt
— KUTV2news (@KUTV2News) February 18, 2022
K-9 Maya from the West Police Department was honored by fellow officers as her body was taken to the West Jordan Animal Shelter from the Blue Pearl Vet Hospital in Midvale where 6-year-old died #KSLTV pic.twitter.com/zyRQQ3kPbt
— Derek Petersen (@Derek_Photog) February 18, 2022