Holly MatkinLas Vegas, NV – A Las Vegas police K9 was stabbed multiple times while trying to apprehend a violent suspect on Monday night.
The incident began at approximately 8:32 p.m. on July 24, when the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) received a report about a stabbing in the 3900-block of Cambridge Street, the LVMPD said in a press release the following day.
Officers responded to the scene and found a victim who was suffering from multiple lacerations.
The victim was transported to a local hospital for treatment of what police described as “minor injuries.”
The suspect in the attack was later identified as 30-year-old Ezekiel Barnes.
Witnesses said they saw Barnes stabbing two victims – a man and a woman – but police were not able to find the female victim, KLAS reported.
Investigators located Barnes sitting in a vehicle in the 3900-block of Maryland Parkway and established a perimeter to apprehend him.
While they were doing so, Barnes allegedly attempted to set the vehicle ablaze, according to police.
LVMPD K9 Diko was deployed in an effort to apprehend Barnes, but the armed suspect allegedly stabbed him repeatedly during the confrontation.
K9 Diko is recovering from a stabbing incident!
On July 24, 2023, at approximately 8:32 p.m., LVMPD Dispatch received a report of a stabbing in the 3900 block of Cambridge Street. Arriving officers located a victim suffering from apparent lacerations…. pic.twitter.com/GvN8oxPitk
— LVMPD (@LVMPD) July 25, 2023
Police then deployed “additional low lethal options” and were able to take the suspect into custody.
K9 Diko was rushed to a local veterinary clinic and was continuing to recover from his wounds on Tuesday.
No further information regarding his condition or prognosis was immediately available.
Barnes was transported to the UMC Trauma Center for treatment prior to being booked into the Clark County Detention Center on felony charges of injure/attempt to kill a police animal, attempted arson, and resist a public officer with a deadly weapon.
His bail was set at $40,000, KLAS reported.
K-9 Diko was transported by officers to a nearby veterinary clinic for treatment and is recovering.
Barnes was transported to UMC Trauma for his injuries. pic.twitter.com/EbXinM3exj
— LVMPD (@LVMPD) July 25, 2023
K9 Diko was among the officers who apprehended 24-year-old Tyson Hampton after Hampton allegedly murdered 49-year-old LVMPD Officer Truong Thai in the line of duty in October of 2022, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
