Newly released bodycam footage captures the devastating moment a California police dog was shot and killed by an illegal migrant gang member during a tense, hours-long standoff.
Burbank Police Department K-9 Spike was deployed into a densely overgrown area along an interstate highway to flush out 37-year-old Jose Domingo Ayala Alas, a reputed member of the 18th Street Gang, following a traffic stop on Nov. 22, according to videos released by police this week.
Moments later, gunshots rang out, and Spike returned to his handler mortally wounded, the disturbing footage shows.
Jose Domingo Ayala Alas, 37, was an illegal immigrant and a reputed member of the 18th Street Gang, police said. Burbank Police Department
Burbank Police K-9 Spike was shot and fatally wounded by Jose Domingo Ayala Alas on Nov. 22, authorities said. ZUMAPRESS.com
“A coordinated search was initiated using a police canine and a police helicopter,” Burbank police said in a press release.
“During the search, the canine located the suspect. The suspect fired multiple rounds, striking the canine, before fleeing on foot.”
Spike was rushed to a nearby veterinary clinic but could not be saved, the department confirmed.
The incident began after officers conducted a traffic stop near Interstate 5 at around 6:40 p.m.
Bodycam footage shows the moment Spike was sent after Alas on Nov. 22. Burbank Police Department
Police said the unidentified driver and Alas, who was a passenger, told officers they did not have identification and were asked to exit the vehicle. At that point, Alas fled on foot and disappeared into thick brush along the highway, according to the footage.
After repeated attempts to get Alas to surrender failed, officers deployed Spike shortly after 8 p.m.
Shots can be heard in the distance as Spike cries out and returns severely wounded, police said. Burbank Police Department
The shooting of the police dog did not bring the standoff to an end. Authorities said Alas continued to refuse surrender and fired sporadically at officers for several hours.
An armored SWAT vehicle was eventually brought to the scene.
Shortly before 11:30 p.m., Alas was shot and killed by police after continuing to refuse surrender and firing additional rounds at officers with a 9 mm handgun, according to the department.
Police said the reputed gang member had a criminal history that included gun-related charges and had entered the United States illegally in 2010 after being deported previously.
Burbank police stated that a full investigation into the shooting and prolonged standoff remains ongoing.
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