Last Saturday, a domestic call in northwest Grand Rapids ended with a man dead, a police K-9 seriously wounded, and a patrol cruiser briefly on fire. Police say the encounter spiraled as the man allegedly hurled a Molotov-style incendiary at officers, tried to carjack a driver, stabbed K-9 Digo, and then charged at officers with a knife before being shot. Digo was rushed to an emergency veterinary hospital, treated, and later released to his handler. Veterinarians expect him to recover. Michigan State Police are now handling the officer-involved shooting investigation, and the involved officer has been placed on administrative leave.
Officers were first called to the 1000 block of Alpine Avenue NW near 11th Street shortly after 1 p.m. last Saturday for a report that a family member was being threatened, according to WWMT. When officers arrived, police say the man threw a lit incendiary that struck a patrol vehicle and set it ablaze, then ran from the home. Officers tried to talk him down and deployed less-lethal tactics, but the situation turned into a chase with several confrontations spread across nearby blocks.
K-9 Digo injured but expected to recover
The Grand Rapids Police Department later identified the wounded dog as K-9 Digo. Deputy Chief P. J. Baker told reporters that “At this point, we expect Digo will return to the K-9 team,” though the dog will need a fitness-for-duty evaluation after he heals. Veterinarians treated Digo for a serious head wound and documented several strikes to his protective vest, which deputies said likely kept the stabbing from being fatal. Neighbors said the scene felt chaotic, with one resident recalling the sound of officers rushing into her backyard followed by gunfire, according to FOX17.
How the confrontation unfolded
Police say that during the chaos, the man tried to carjack a motorist at knifepoint and then attempted to force his way into another residence before officers caught up with him, as reported by EUP News. Officers released Digo to track and subdue the suspect. According to police, the man stabbed the dog multiple times, then later charged at officers while still armed with the knife, prompting one officer to fire. Following standard protocol, the case was turned over to the Michigan State Police, which will review the shooting.
Investigation and local fallout
Michigan State Police are leading the investigation, and the officer involved remains on administrative leave, per WWMT. The shooting lands as Grand Rapids is already reexamining its use-of-force and K-9 policies following a February officer-involved death that triggered a departmental review, FOX17 reported. City officials say they plan to wait for the state investigation to conclude before releasing more evidence or making any personnel decisions.
