Police K-9 Tragically Killed in Fiery South Carolina Shootout While Serving in Line of Duty
A search for a suspect in South Carolina resulted in a firefight that injured a law enforcement officer and killed a police K-9.
K-9 Mikka was murdered during a standoff in Lee County on Friday afternoon, following a tumultuous confrontation with a suspect wanted in the shooting of a McBee Police Department officer the previous night.
Agents from the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) responded to Lee County as part of a multi-agency search for Altson Modlin, 27, designated as armed and dangerous by the Horry County Police Department.
McBee Police Chief Tim Knight stated that Molidin fired at the officer “more than 60 times,” according to WPDE.
Following the shooting in Chesterfield County, a multi-county manhunt began, and Modlin was apprehended at 10 a.m., when a fatal gunfight erupted, according to officials.
According to Lee County Sheriff Daniel Simon, officers were following Modlin’s automobile when they came under fire from him with an assault-style weapon, as reported by News19.
Simon acknowledged to WPDE that one of his deputies was grazed by a bullet fired at authorities during the standoff.
Simon stated that a patrol car was burnt after being damaged by gunshots.
“Shots that struck the car. “The vehicle ignited and caught fire, and she obviously couldn’t get out,” Simon told News19. “The officers could not reach the vehicle to open the door because, as I previously stated, they were under duress. They couldn’t reach the vehicle.”
Unfortunately, the officer was unable to reach K-9 Mikka inside the car owing to the number of shots fired, and the dog died in the fire, Simon told WPDE.
“Because we are a smaller agency, we must wear multiple hats. We are deeply devastated by the loss of K-9 Mikka, who was as important to our team as my Chief Deputy, who was injured,” Simon said in a statement.
The incident prompted a shelter-in-place order and a countywide school lockdown, according to News19.
Authorities claimed around 200 law enforcement personnel from 10 agencies were in Lee County to help with the situation.
“This is a foolish, cowardly act committed today. And I’m getting tired of this. This is my eighth officer-involved shooting since I arrived here in 2010. “This is too much,” Simon stated.
Simon stated that his team is grateful for the help they receive from the community and other law enforcement:
“I’d like to thank Horry County for leading the investigation into this incident, as well as all of our partners for their support and assistance, including the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED), the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (DNR), my Sheriff’s Office and Police Department counterparts across the state and region, and the ATF. There has been so much community support from close and far, and we appreciate every person and organization who has called out to check on us and offered their prayers.”
The Lee County Coroner’s Office has confirmed Modlin’s death and will perform an autopsy on Tuesday.
The Horry County Police Department stated that this is an ongoing investigation and that it will continue to examine the shooting in Lee County at the request of the agencies involved.