Authorities with the Knightdale Police Department have confirmed that one of their officers accidentally shot and killed a Wake County Sheriff’s Office K9 early Friday morning.
Knightdale Police Chief Lawrence Capps said the incident stems from a traffic stop his officers conducted on N. Smithfield Road near the Carrington Woods subdivision around 12:30am. According to Chief Capps, a passenger of the suspect vehicle fled on foot into a nearby wooded area. Officers were able to establish a perimeter and requested assistance from the sheriff’s office. A K9 handler arrived on scene and began a track of the suspect, accompanied by a Knightdale police officer. At some point during the track, the Knightdale officer unintentionally fired their weapon, striking the deputy’s K9.
Authorities say the K9 was rushed to the emergency clinic at N.C. State University’s Veterinary Hospital. Regrettably, the K9 did not survive.
“We are truly heartbroken over this tragedy,” said Chief Capps. “All law enforcement officers understand the strong and undeniably special bond that exists between handlers and their K9 partners. The involved officer is very distraught, so I can only imagine the deep swell of grief our friends in the sheriff’s office must be feeling. We extended our sincerest apologies and deepest sympathies.”
Chief Capps says his department has been in constant communication with command staff at the Wake County Sheriff’s Office since the incident. The Knightdale Police Department has launched an internal affairs investigation into their officer’s actions. The ongoing nature of the investigation prevents the release of additional information at this time, but authorities are expected to share more details when appropriate.