Suspect accuses police dog of being killed during arrest warrant service

The Lexington County Sheriff’s Office announced Friday that charges have been filed against the man accused of killing South Carolina Law Enforcement Division police dog Coba on June 11. SLED officials said June 11 that a police dog was killed in the line of duty as officers attempted to apprehend an armed man. “It is with great sadness that SLED announces the in-line death of police dog Coba,” officials said in a news release. The Newberry County Sheriff’s Office previously stated that officers and state law enforcement officials were attempting to execute an arrest warrant for a fugitive crime in the Prosperity area off Gravel Road. According to officials, the suspect was found hiding in a family member’s home and came out with a shotgun when police dog Coba, an officer and SLED agents confronted the suspect. The suspect fired the weapon at Coba and officers returned fire. More news: Manhunt for fugitive SC officer after failing to appear in court for ‘torturing’ child, police sayThe K-9 was taken to an emergency veterinarian and later died, officials said.Several officers were treated for minor lacerations, officials said.SLED and the Newberry County Sheriff’s Office requested that the Lexington County Sheriff’s Office investigate the officer-involved shooting.”K9 Coba, 4, was a Belgian Malinois mix and joined SLED in 2021. During his career, Coba served on SLED’s SWAT team and K9 Tracking Team. Coba participated in numerous trainings and arrests that ensured the safety of communities, SLED’s law enforcement partners and his SLED SWAT team,” SLED officials said in a statement.Officials said Coba lived with Special Agent Richard “Cole” Powell and his family. “Coba will be greatly missed,” officials said.More news: Upstate man and woman arrested after toddler found unconscious in bathtub, officials say.James Robert Peterson, 37, was charged with animal cruelty to a police dog, disturbing the public peace, possession of a firearm by a person convicted of certain crimes, resisting arrest with a deadly weapon and four counts of pointing and displaying a firearm at a person, according to arrest warrants. “The four counts of pointing and displaying a firearm at a person stem from Peterson pointing the shotgun in the direction of four law enforcement officers after fatally shooting Coba,” Lexington County Sheriff Jay Koon said. Peterson is being held at the Newberry County Detention Center, according to LCSO.More news: Latest on negotiations between Prisma Health and UnitedHealthcare “This is the 20th police-involved shooting in South Carolina this year,” SLED officials said. “This is the first police-involved shooting this year for both the Newberry County Sheriff’s Office and SLED. In 2023, there were 43 police-involved shootings in South Carolina. The Newberry County Sheriff’s Office had 1 police-involved shooting last year. SLED had 2 police-involved shootings last year.”

The Lexington County Sheriff’s Office announced Friday that charges have been filed against the man accused of killing South Carolina Law Enforcement Division police dog Coba on June 11.

SLED officials said June 11 that a police dog was killed in the line of duty as officers attempted to apprehend an armed man.

“It is with great sadness that SLED announces the passing of K9 Coba in the line of duty,” officials said in a press release.

The Newberry County Sheriff’s Office previously stated that deputies and state law enforcement officers attempted to execute an arrest warrant for a fugitive crime in the Prosperity area on Gravel Road.

According to officials, the suspect was found at a family member’s home and came out with a shotgun when K-9 Coba, an officer and SLED agents confronted the suspect. The suspect fired the weapon at Coba and officers returned fire.

More news: Manhunt for SC fugitive after failure to appear in court for ‘torture’ of child, police say

The dog was taken to an emergency veterinarian and later died, officials said.

Several MPs were treated for minor cuts, MPs said.

SLED and the Newberry County Sheriff’s Office requested that the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department investigate the officer-involved shooting.

“K9 Coba, 4, was a Belgian Malinois mix and joined SLED in 2021. During his career, Coba served on SLED’s SWAT team and K9 tracking team. Coba participated in numerous trainings and arrests that ensured the safety of communities, SLED’s law enforcement partners and his SLED SWAT team,” SLED officials said in a statement.

According to officials, Coba lived with Special Agent Richard “Cole” Powell and his family.

“We will miss Coba very much,” officials said.

More news: Man and woman from northern state arrested after infant found unconscious in bathtub, officials say

James Robert Peterson, 37, was charged with animal cruelty to a police dog, disturbing the public peace, possession of a firearm by a person convicted of certain crimes, resisting arrest with a deadly weapon and four counts of pointing a firearm at a person, according to arrest warrants.

Newberry County Detention Center

“The four counts of pointing and displaying a firearm at a person stem from Peterson pointing the shotgun in the direction of four law enforcement officers after fatally shooting Coba,” said Lexington County Sheriff Jay Koon.

According to LCSO, Peterson is being held at the Newberry County Detention Center.

More news: Latest on negotiations between Prisma Health and UnitedHealthcare

“This is the 20th police-involved shooting in South Carolina this year,” SLED officials said. “This is the first police-involved shooting this year for both the Newberry County Sheriff’s Office and SLED. In 2023, there were 43 police-involved shootings in South Carolina. The Newberry County Sheriff’s Office had one police-involved shooting last year. SLED had two police-involved shootings last year.”