CANTON – A suspect and a city police K-9 were shot early Saturday morning, after officers were responding to an alarm drop at Fisher Foods on Harrison Avenue.
Lt. Roger Crihfield told Fox 8 that officers were searching the area when the suspect fired several shots. The department’s K-9 Jethro was struck 3 times in the face , shoulder, and neck area.
Officers returned fire. The suspect was shot one time in the leg and taken to the hospital with a non life-threatening injury. He has been identified as Kelontre D. Barefield, 22.
Jethro was taken to an animal hospital.
“He is sedated ,” said Eric Stanbro, head K9 trainer. “His blood pressure is high. So they are keeping a close eye on him.”
“He is expected to recover, but we don’t know if he will ever be able to return to work,” said Lt. Crihfield. “We may know more next week.”
Jethro is 3-years-old and has been on the job for a year. His partner Ryan Davis, along with Stanbro and other police officers have not left his side since the shooting. They are asking for prayers for Jethro.
