A DeKalb County police dog who was shot Tuesday afternoon remains hospitalized after undergoing a second surgery in Sandy Springs, police said Thursday.
K-9 D’Jango, who has worked with the department about six years, was shot in the pelvic area as officers exchanged gunfire with a 26-year-old man near Stone Mountain, authorities said.
RELATED: DeKalb police K-9 recovering after deadly shootout in Stone Mountain
The suspect, identified as Akinyia Malik Jerome Gray, was shot and killed by officers after shooting the dog, the GBI said.
Authorities said the Stone Mountain man had outstanding warrants for possessing a firearm as a felon, obstruction of justice and hit-and-run charges.
The incident started when officers spotted Gray walking toward a convenience store at the corner of North Hairston Road and Central Drive, authorities said. When they approached him, he ran into the Hidden Meadows townhome community behind the store.
“As officers approached Gray, he discharged his firearm, striking and critically injuring K9 D’Jango,” GBI spokeswoman Nelly Miles said. “Several officers returned fire, striking Gray. He later died as a result of his injuries.”
In a tweet Wednesday morning, the department posted a photo of D’Jango recovering under a blanket at the Blue Pearl Veterinary Hospital.
Vincent said the dog suffered “significant damage” to its right rear femur, but no major organs were injured.
She also said the veterinarians and staff members at Blue Pearl are already familiar with D’Jango since they successfully treated him for cancer several years ago.
About the Author
