Missing K-9 with gunshot wound reunited with handler

INDIANAPOLIS — UPDATE @ 9:25 p.m.

An Indiana State Police K-9 was found today after an extensive 12-hour search.

A veterinarian determined K-9 Apache suffered a gunshot wound to the neck, but he is expected to fully recover, according to police.

Apache was wounded during a gunfire exchange between a suspect and the dog’s handler, Trooper Walter Butt.

The suspect, identified as 26-year-old Cortez Lavine Boxley of Indianapolis, fired at Butt and Apache before Butt shot him. Boxley is in serious but stable condition at an Indiana hospital.

An alert resident helped find Apache by reporting a possible sighting of him. When Butt arrived, Apache immediately ran to his side, police said.

FIRST REPORT

An Indiana State Police K-9 is missing after the Belgian Malinois came under fire by a suspect.

It is not known whether the K-9 officer was shot, according to state police.

Anyone who spots the Belgian Malinois must not approach the dog, but call 911. The K-9 has a leather harness with a 6-inch leather leash attached and a yellow tag police collar.

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The incident began just after 9 p.m. Tuesday when a trooper spotted a man walking through a parking lot near 38th Street and Post Road in Indianapolis. He matched the description of one of the two suspects who fled from police earlier in the evening, according to the ISP.

After the trooper tried to pat down the suspect for weapons, he pushed away and fled. The trooper deployed his K-9, which chased the suspect and made contact with him, police said.

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The suspect then fired shots at the K-9 and the trooper. The trooper returned fire and struck the suspect.

The trooper was not injured, but the suspect was taken to a hospital in serious condition.

During the exchange of gunfire, the police K-9 ran from the area and is still loose. Several officers are in the area searching for the dog.

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