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K9 shot, suspect killed in Polk County
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd credits a K9, who was shot and critically injured by a suspect, with saving the lives of three deputies Thursday evening. FOX 13's Blake DeVine reports.
KATHLEEN, Fla. - Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd credits a K9, who was shot and critically injured by a suspect, with saving the lives of three deputies Thursday evening.
The suspect, Angel Bowers, in the deputy-involved shooting was killed, and 7-year-old K9 Ace is now fighting for his life. The K9 was rushed to an emergency vet and will be airlifted for advanced treatment.
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Grady Judd: K9 critically injured in shooting with suspect
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd says K9 Ace was shot and critically injured by a suspect. The suspect was killed, and the K9 is now being airlifted for emergency treatment after the shooting.
K9 shot in Kathleen
What we know:
Judd said this started when Bowers, who was already facing charge of unlawful sex with a minor, failed to make a court appearance on Monday. A warrant was issued for him, and a bondman was trying to locate him Thursday morning.
The bondsman was later told the suspect was at his tent in the woods off of Rushing Road in Kathleen. Polk County deputies arrived to assist, including K9 Ace with his handler.
Pictured: K9 Ace. Courtesy: Polk County Sheriff's Office.
When deputies approached the tent in the woods just after 6:15 p.m., the suspect opened fire from inside his tent, and Judd said his deputies returned fire.
K9 Ace was hit during the deputy-involved shooting, and immediately rushed to an emergency vet clinic for treatment. Deputies said Bowers was pulled from the tent, and medics confirmed to deputies that he was dead.
K9 Ace's condition
Dig deeper:
K9 Ace was shot in the front leg during the shooting. Judd said he did almost bleed out before receiving medical treatment.
He did make it to the emergency vet clinic, where he was in surgery Thursday evening. The 7-year-old dog is now being flown to an advanced care facility.
Pictured: K9 Ace in surgery after being injured in the shooting in Kathleen. Courtesy: Polk County Sheriff's Office.
Judd said Ace is not out of the woods yet, and is still fighting for his life after the significant injury.
Sheriff Grady Judd statements
What they're saying:
Judd said during the news conference late Thursday evening that the suspect "got exactly what he asked for." He called K9 Ace's actions heroic and credited him for saving the lives of responding deputies.
Pictured: Angel Bowers. Courtesy: Polk County Sheriff's Office.
"Ace was shot protecting not only his handler but the other deputies that arrived," Judd said.
Judd said the investigation into this shooting remains active and is in the hands of the 10th Judicial Circuit Officer Involved Deadly Incident task force.
The Source: The information in this story was gathered during a news conference with Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd, who detailed the events of the deputy-involved shooting and K9 Ace's injuries.