BCSO K-9 unit shot, killed attempting to restrain chase suspect Suspect in critical after deputies opened fire hitting him multiple times

A procession of Bexar County Sheriff's Office deputies accompany Chucky, a BSCO K9 dog, to Becker Animal Hospital after the dog was shot and killed attempting to restrain a chase suspect Friday night, Jan. 26, 2019, according to BCSO. less A procession of Bexar County Sheriff's Office deputies accompany Chucky, a BSCO K9 dog, to Becker Animal Hospital after the dog was shot and killed attempting to restrain a chase suspect Friday night, Jan. 26, ... more Photo: 21 Pro Video Photo: 21 Pro Video Image 1 of / 53 Caption Close BCSO K-9 unit shot, killed attempting to restrain chase suspect 1 / 53 Back to Gallery

UPDATE: 1:19 p.m.

The Bexar County Sheriff's Office identified Matthew Reyes Mireles, 38, as the man they charged in the shooting death of a BCSO K-9 unit Friday night following an erratic, multi-county chase.

Mireles has been charged with multiple felonies including interference with a police service animal, attempted capital murder of a police officer, aggravated assault on a public servant, and evading arrest detention with a vehicle.

ORIGINAL STORY CONTINUES

A Bexar County Sheriff's Office K-9 unit is dead and a man is in critical condition at an area hospital after a high-speed, multi-county chase that began in Karnes City ended in an exchange of gunfire on the far West Side of San Antonio, according to Sheriff Javier Salazar.

The 38-year-old male suspect, who according to BSCO had several outstanding warrants, fled from Karnes City police attempting to pull him over sometime after 10 p.m. Friday.

The chase followed U.S. 181 to Interstate 37 North where the chase turned toward San Antonio with the man intermediately firing shots at pursuing law enforcement, Salazar said. At some point, two State Troopers and three BCSO deputies joined the pursuit.

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The man abandoned his vehicle at an area near Loop 1604 and Texas 151, leaving it in drive, which resulted in the vehicle striking a patrol car, according to Salazar. The man continued on foot and "continued to fire shots wildly."

Salazar described the chaotic situation saying deputies and troopers attempted to keep traffic back and away from the scene as the man "with a complete disregard for human life" walked along pointing his gun at officers, himself, an overhead helicopter and at passersby.

"All the officers involved showed an amazing amount of restraint and I'm very proud of the way they reacted," Salazar said.

At a certain point Chucky, a 5-year-old Belgian Malinois, was deployed by BSCO to restrain the man.

"Chucky was able to get a bite on the suspect," Salazar said. "Unfortunately that suspect fired several shots, Chucky was struck and died there at the scene."

Salazar explained that law enforcement then opened fire on the man, striking him several times in the lower extremities. He was transported to University Hospital in critical condition after officers performed life-saving measures on him.

Chucky did have an issued vest but wasn't able to wear it at the time, the Sheriff's Office said in an emailed statement. The vest can't be worn all the time because of concerns with overheating and fatigue, and it is supposed to put on the dog in the case of a pre-planned operation.

The incident Friday wasn't pre-planned. Chucky's handler "who was actively engaged in pursuing the armed suspect did not have an opportunity to place the vest on Chucky, as doing so would have continued to place the public in imminent danger," the Sheriff's Office said. "Immediate actions had to be taken to ensure the suspect was stopped quickly."

Talking about the loss of one of his deputies Salazar said sometimes not everybody makes it home and sometimes law enforcement officers lose their lives in the line of duty.

"That doesn't make it any easier when that deputy's got four legs," Salazar said. "It's a heartbreaking situation and these dogs are part of our family they are deputies as well. Chucky went out doing what he was brought here to do, to save lives. And he undoubtedly saved lives with what he was able to accomplish in his last moments.

Salazar said there will be a funeral for Chucky, who according to officials had been partnered with an unidentified deputy for the last two years.

If he survives, the unidentified man is facing multiple charges.

This story will be updated as more information becomes available.