By Jesse Lieberman
The Sun Herald
PASCAGOULA, Miss. —A K9 officer was killed in the line of duty, Pascagoula Police Department announced on Facebook.
The dog named Exo and his handler were tracking a suspect on Thursday in a wooded area in the Helena community of Jackson County when a man fired shots at the officer and hit the dog twice in the chest, Sheriff Mike Ezell said in a press release.
According to the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department, the officer returned fire, wounding the suspect identified as 33-year-old Mitchell Wayne Robinson.
Robinson is charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and aggravated assault. He is currently in intensive care at Singing River Hospital.
Robinson allegedly shot a man at about 3:30 p.m. in Helena before shooting Exo, the release says.
That victim is currently at USA Medical Center in Mobile.
Exo was rushed to an emergency vet, where he died from his injuries.
“We ask for prayers for his handler, Officer Prisock, his family and our department as we mourn the loss of our fallen hero, K9 Officer Exo,” reads the post.
Police said they’ll release more information when it is available.
(c)2022 The Sun Herald (Biloxi, Miss.)