2 Palm Springs Police Officers Hurt, K-9 Killed In Overnight Shooting

Palm Springs police investigators and emergency crews were at the scene of an overnight shooting Sunday morning that left a police dog and a suspect dead and two officers wounded.

Police spokesperson Rhonda Long said the shooting happened about 1:30 a.m. on the 2700 block of Verona Rd., north of Vista Chino.

The two officers recognized a man wanted by police and tried to apprehend him. He ran off, Long said.

Both officers chased after him along with a Palm Springs police K-9 named “Ike.”

After catching up to the man and struggling to detain him, one of the officers released Ike on the suspect. That’s when Long said the man pulled out a handgun and fired several shots, hitting the dog and his officer.

Both officers returned fire, killing the suspect.

Long said Ike died doing what he was trained to do, protect his handler, who along with the other officer was rushed to Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs.

Ike’s partner, who is a five year veteran of the force, was shot on the right side of his body. Long credited his bullet proof vest with saving his life.

The other officer, an eight year veteran of the police department, was treated for a hand injury he suffered during the struggle.

Both were treated and released on Sunday.

Their names were not released while the investigation proceeded. They were placed on paid administrative leave while that happened.

The name of the slain suspect was also not released until authorities could notify his family.

Ike was the first K-9 to die in the line of duty in the police department’s history, said Long.

“Ike?s loss is being felt by every officer at the Palm Springs Police Department,” she said. “Ike was a loyal and faithful partner and he will be missed.”

If you have any information related to this investigation, please call 760-323-8115, or you can call anonymously at Crime Stoppers 760-341-STOP.

The department has received a number of inquiries and offers for donations after Ike’s death. K9 sergeant Jon Cabrera is handeling the questions. He can be reached by email: Jon.Cabrera@palmspringsca.gov or at (760) 778-8440 ext 6312.