Chesterfield County is reeling after Knight, a 5-year-old German Shepherd/Malinois police dog, was killed Sunday during a domestic disturbance call in Midlothian. Two patrol officers were also shot and remain hospitalized, and the suspect was wounded in the exchange of gunfire.
What happened
Officers were dispatched around 4:40 p.m. Sunday to the 12900 block of Gumfork Place after a woman reported that a man had fired several shots and barricaded himself inside the home, according to Daily Voice. When uniformed officers entered the residence, they encountered a suspect armed with a long gun and an exchange of fire followed. Knight and two officers were hit, and the suspect was also struck. The shooting has triggered an active, multi-agency investigation.
Charges and the scene
Chesterfield County’s police chief said warrants were obtained charging the suspect with two counts of attempted aggravated murder of a police officer, two counts of aggravated malicious wounding, one count of killing a police dog and four counts of use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, and that the suspect remains hospitalized in police custody, according to WTVR. “This is one of your worst nightmares,” Col. Frank Carpenter Jr. said as he described the intensity and danger of the confrontation. The two injured patrol officers, each with about seven to eight years of service, underwent surgery and were reported in critical but stable condition.
Knight’s service and memorials
Knight, a 5-year-old German Shepherd/Malinois mix born in Slovakia, had worked alongside Cpl. John Walsh for roughly four years as a tracking and apprehension K-9, the department said. The agency described their partnership as an “unbreakable bond built on trust, loyalty, and a shared commitment to protecting our community,” according to Daily Voice. In front of police headquarters, a K-9 patrol vehicle has been set up as a temporary memorial, where residents have been leaving flowers, drawings and other tributes in Knight’s honor.
Investigation and public safety
Investigators said they discovered what they believe was a grenade or cannonball inside the home and brought in state and federal explosive specialists to secure the property, with the ATF, FBI and Virginia State Police assisting at the scene, according to WTVR. A SWAT team and other units moved in to evacuate the wounded before the suspect surrendered. Police urged neighbors to stay away from the area while teams documented the scene and collected evidence.
How to follow the case
Anyone with information is asked to contact Chesterfield County Police at 804-748-1251 or Crime Solvers at 804-748-0660, according to Chesterfield County. End of watch: May 31.
