K9 reported in stable condition

MOSES LAKE — The K9 injured in a Friday night incident that resulted in the death of a suspect is reportedly in stable condition as of Saturday afternoon.

Columbia Basin K9s posted an update on the dog’s condition on social media. “Our K9 is still stable and hanging on,” the post said. “Vet said he’s in better condition than they would have hoped.”

The unidentified man allegedly shot the dog while he was trying to flee from police officers, wrote Moses Lake Police Chief Kevin Fuhr. Police department detectives and patrol officers were looking for the man in connection with several robberies, Fuhr wrote.

The man tried to flee from officers and led them on a chase that ended on Denton Road in Cascade Valley, Fuhr wrote. Once his car was stopped he tried to flee on foot, Fuhr wrote.

“During the foot pursuit, the suspect produced a handgun and discharged it once, striking the K9. A MLPD officer returned fire, striking the suspect,” he wrote. The man was pronounced dead at the scene. The incident occurred at about 10:43 p.m. Friday.

The dog was treated at Pioneer Veterinary in Moses Lake, then airlifted to the veterinary unit at Washington State University for emergency surgery.

“Just have to play the waiting game to get the swelling down and get more stable to do an MRI and evaluate surgery options,” the Columbia Basin K9s post said.

Fuhr said more information on the incident would not be released until Monday.

The incident is being investigated by the Central Basin Investigative Team, comprised of officers from a number of different agencies in Grant and Adams counties, as well as the Washington State Patrol and the Department of Fish and Wildlife.