Vacaville K-9 shot by armed suspect
VACAVILLE, Calif. - Vacaville K-9 officer Murph was shot during the apprehension of an armed suspect Wednesday afternoon, the Vacaville Police Department shared.
Murph was shot around 1:30 p.m. in the 300 block of Regency Circle, where 52-year-old Darren Crail allegedly threatened to shoot others with a rifle he claimed to have, police said.
The backstory:
Police said Crail called Vacaville dispatch several times threatening to harm himself. SWAT and crisis negotiators were at the scene. Police said the situation escalated when he threatened to harm others.
Officers arrived the scene, including K-9 Murph. Officers beckoned Crail to leave the home; which he did, armed with a rifle. Refusing to surrender peacefully, Murph tried to take Crail into custody, police said.
Crail then allegedly fired one shot, which struck Murph. Murph was taken to an emergency veterinary hospital, where he had his front left leg amputated.
Crail was then taken into custody with minor injuries. He is charged with harming a police dog, negligent discharge of a firearm, illegal possession of an assault weapon, criminal threats, and resisting arrest.
What we don't know:
It's unclear if Murph will be retired after his injury. He has been with the department for three years.
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The Source: Vacaville Police Department