Richland County Sheriff’s Department K-9 Officer Shot by Teen Suspect During Chase on the Road to Recovery

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WCSC) – A K-9 officer with the Richland County Sheriff’s Department is currently in recovery after being shot by a teen suspect during a high-speed chase. The incident occurred in the early hours of Thursday morning, leaving K-9 Kobe, a valued member of the force for over two years, with serious injuries.

In a recent social media update on X, formerly known as Twitter, the Richland County Sheriff’s Department shared that K-9 Kobe is now back at home, surrounded by his family, and embarking on his healing journey. The post also urged the public to continue sending well wishes, pets, and prayers to support K-9 Kobe’s recovery.

The incident unfolded when deputies received a report of a stolen truck containing a firearm in the early hours of Thursday morning in the 500 block of Deerwood Street, located near Rosewood Drive and S. Beltline Boulevard, as reported by WIS-TV. Sheriff Leon Lott disclosed that two K-9 deputies spotted the stolen truck shortly after 2 a.m. and attempted to halt it, triggering a chase.

During the pursuit, a 17-year-old suspect identified as Jeremy Taylor, along with a 14-year-old accomplice, both armed with firearms, fled the scene on foot after the chase came to an end. Sheriff Lott revealed that Taylor opened fire at the deputies, resulting in K-9 Kobe sustaining gunshot wounds, while the deputies returned fire at Taylor, ultimately subduing him.

Following the incident, Taylor was admitted to a local hospital, with Sheriff Lott indicating that his injuries were not life-threatening, though specific details were not disclosed. Taylor is facing a slew of charges, including attempted murder, possession of a weapon during a violent crime, and unlawful injury to a police dog, among others.

The other suspect, whose identity has not been disclosed due to their age, was later apprehended. Charges against the juvenile include possession of a handgun under 18, possession of a stolen firearm, and grand larceny of a motor vehicle. The solicitor’s office will determine additional charges in due course.

Sheriff Lott emphasised that the Richland County Sheriff’s Department will handle the investigation internally, as they have done for the past decade, and will not be involving the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division. He also issued a plea to the community to refrain from leaving firearms unattended in vehicles, stressing the importance of responsible gun ownership to curb gun-related crimes.