A South Carolina State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) K-9 was fatally shot Tuesday during an operation in Newberry County Tuesday. The suspect was shot and wounded.
The Newberry County Sheriff’s Office said on Facebook that deputies and SLED agents were serving a fugitive felony warrant during the shooting. The suspect was found inside a relative’s home and K-9 Coba was sent into the house. The suspect reportedly shot the dog and the deputies and SLED agents returned fire.
K-9 Coba was rushed to a veterinary hospital where he died.
SLED said on Facebook that K-9 Coba was a four-year-old Belgian Malinois mix who had served with the agency since 2021. K-9 Coba was assigned to SWAT and the tracking team.
His handler was Special Agent Richard “Cole” Powell. He lived with Powell’s family.