LAKE COUNTY, Ind. — An Indiana State Police K-9 is recovering at home with her handler after being accidentally shot in the paw by a Gary police officer during a northern Indiana police chase earlier in December.
According to a release by ISP, shortly after 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 14, ISP troopers witnessed a vehicle that had been reported as stolen traveling westbound on Interstate 80 in Lake County.
Troopers attempted to pull the vehicle over after it merged onto I-65 north from I-80. A pursuit began after the vehicle failed to stop for police. The chase allegedly continued onto the Indiana Toll Road before entering local roads in Gary.
After bringing the vehicle to a stop at the intersection of 21st Ave. and Wisconsin Street in Gary, the suspect fled the vehicle and ran from officers on foot.
ISP K-9 officer Rogue was then deployed to chase after the suspect. Rogue was able to apprehend the suspect, but during the apprehension, a Gary police officer accidentally discharged their weapon, shooting Rogue in the paw.
Rogue's handler immediately drove her to a local animal hospital for emergency treatment. She is expected to make a full recovery.
The suspect, 22-year-old Damontae Reed of Gary, was arrested and preliminarily charged with auto theft, resisting law enforcement while operating a motor vehicle and reckless driving.
ISP's release also states that during the initial pursuit, a single-car crash occurred on I-80 near the 13.5 mile marker involving one of the troopers engaged in the chase. According to the release, the trooper allegedly had to take evasive action to avoid another vehicle, resulting in the trooper driving off the road and coming to a stop in a water-filled ditch.
