ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — A Rockford K9 was shot and killed and the suspect wounded in a shootout with police on 11th Street on Sunday, according to authorities.
Rockford Police said officers were investigating a “domestic situation” on Jacqueline Drive.
The suspect, who has not been identified, was located a short time later in the 2900 block of 11th Street, police said. There, gunfire was exchanged between the K9 handler and the suspect.
K9 Nyx was killed while tracking down the suspect, according to the Jamie Cox Foundation. The suspect suffered a gunshot wound to the leg, and was taken to a local hospital for treatment.
“K9 Nyx was a Belgian Malinois from Belarus and completed her training in November of 2018. Nyx was trained in narcotics detection, evidence recovery, human tracking, and apprehension. Nyx was the city’s first female K9,” the Foundation said.
Police Chief Carla Redd said the Winnebago Boone County Integrity Task Force will handle the investigation into the shooting since Rockford Police officers were involved.