Correction: An earlier version of this story said a "K-9 officer" was shot and killed. The correct term is actually "JSO K-9" or "police service dog." "K-9 officer" would indicate that the officer who was with the K-9 was killed, which is not true. We want to clarify that the K-9 was shot and killed, not the officer.
The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office is investigating both an armed carjacking and a homicide after they say a suspected carjacker shot and killed a JSO K-9.
JSO was called to the scene of an armed carjacking at a 7Eleven in the 11900 block of Lem Turner Road early Sunday morning.
The victim's vehicle was soon located and disabled via On-Star at westbound I-10 and Commerce Center Drive and the suspect, described as an adult male, fled the scene on foot. A JSO K-9 was sent to capture the suspect but was shot and killed during the pursuit, according to JSO.
Via Twitter, JSO expressed their sadness at the loss of the K-9 and confirmed the dog's name was Fang. Fang played a vital role in keeping people safe at special events and football games, says JSO. He was a 3-year-old German Shephard, dual-purpose bomb detector and patrol dog, according to the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office.
"He has captured some of the most dangerous criminals in Jax," JSO said via Twitter. "We will miss you, Fang. You are gone but will not be forgotten."
The suspect was later captured in the woods by another K-9 on Beaver Street.
Florida Highway Patrol tweeted their condolences to JSO and the K-9's partner.
No injuries to the carjacking victim have been reported.
According to the Officer Down Memorial Facebook Page 19 K-9 officers have been killed in the line of duty in 2018, three of them were killed by gunfire.
JSO says they are now conducting two investigations - an armed carjacking and a homicide due to the deceased K-9.