A police canine in South Carolina was shot and killed throughout a chase, and now three youngsters are beneath arrest.
Bumi, the police Okay-9, was killed Dec. 23 whereas serving as a deputy Richland County Sheriff’s Department they chased a automobile believed to be stolen, the company mentioned Tuesday. After a “brief pursuit” round 2:30 a.m., officers used cease sticks that precipitated the automobile to crash, the division mentioned in a information launch.
Okay-9 specialist Alan Ware and Bumi (pronounced BOO’-me) started chasing two suspects whereas a 3rd was instantly arrested, the company mentioned, including that one of many two fleeing boys fired a gun, hitting the canine twice.
Bumi, a 4-year-old Belgian Malinois/German Shepherd, was rushed to the vet however died. No one else was injured.
Bumi (pronounced boo-me), a K9 with the Richland County Sheriff’s Department, was shot and killed final week, on Dec. 23, 2024, as officers chased a automobile they believed was stolen.
Two bullets recovered from Okay-9’s chest
In the press conference on MondaySheriff Leon Lott mentioned two bullets have been recovered from Bumi’s chest, including that though the canine was sporting a protecting vest, “he isn’t hiding beneath.”
Lott mentioned the youths have “complete disrespect for human life and even a police canine” and that there’s “no hesitation in taking pictures and utilizing a gun.”
He continued to say that “there is no such thing as a cause why minors must be out at 2:30 within the morning” and that “dad and mom have to step up and take duty.”
Bumi was the third K9 the sheriff’s division misplaced this 12 months.
“There’s a battle on the market,” Lott mentioned after the canine procession Friday, The state reported it. “Our deputy (Alan) Ware is struggling, his household and his kids are struggling. That canine was a part of their household. Now he has simply been taken away for no cause.”
Richland County Sheriff’s Department Okay-9 Specialist Alan Ware with Bumi.
Teen suspects arrested, 2 plead responsible
The sheriff’s workplace mentioned it believes a 13-year-old suspect fired the photographs that killed Bumi. They arrested him later that day at his house with out incident.
The division says a 17-year-old who ran away with the 13-year-old was arrested Saturday after his mom contacted the sheriff’s division and reported him. He was taken to sheriff’s division headquarters by his dad and mom, authorities mentioned, the place he was taken into custody.
A 16-year-old was arrested instantly after the highway accident.
The 13-year-old pleaded responsible to killing a police canine, underage gun possession and malicious damage to private property value greater than $10,000, whereas the tried homicide cost was downgraded to assault and battery, the sheriff’s division mentioned. His sentencing is scheduled for Feb. 5, Lott mentioned on the information convention.
The 16-year-old pleaded responsible to obstruction of justice and was sentenced to 12 months of probation, the sheriff’s division mentioned.
The 17-year-old stays in custody and will probably be charged as an grownup, Lott mentioned. He is charged with grand theft, failure to cease for blue lights, possession of a weapon beneath 18 and illegal carrying, amongst others. It is unclear whether or not he has entered a plea or obtained an lawyer.
“Our investigators labored tirelessly to make sure the swift seize of all three suspects,” Lott mentioned in an announcement Monday. “This has been a heartbreaking 12 months for our K9 group and all the division. I’m pleased with our deputies who proceed to compassionately serve our group regardless of being the goal of accelerating violence.”
Saman Shafiq is a trending information reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at sshafiq@gannett.com and comply with her on X and Instagram @saman_shafiq7.
This article initially appeared on USA TODAY: South Carolina Police K-9 Killed During Chase of 3 Teens
