LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — A Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department K-9 officer is recovering from a stabbing incident on Monday night.
K-9 Officer Diko was responding with other LVMPD officers to a report of a stabbing around 8:32 p.m.
Officers arrived in the 3900 block of Cambridge Street, near Maryland Parkway and Twain Avenue, where a person was found "suffering from lacerations." The subject was immediately transported to a nearby hospital with "minor injuries."
K9 Diko is recovering from a stabbing incident!
— LVMPD (@LVMPD) July 25, 2023
On July 24, 2023, at approximately 8:32 p.m., LVMPD Dispatch received a report of a stabbing in the 3900 block of Cambridge Street. Arriving officers located a victim suffering from apparent lacerations.... pic.twitter.com/GvN8oxPitk
Witnesses in the area also told police that the suspect was seen stabbing the male victim, as well as an additional female victim. However, Clark County Public Safety officers were unable to locate the female victim and encourage anyone with information on her to contact them.
Police were later advised that the suspect — identified as 30-year-old Ezekiel Barnes — could be found in a vehicle in a parking garage in the 3900 block of Maryland Parkway, according to LVMPD. As officers made contact with him, Barnes then attempted to light the vehicle on fire as police began establishing a perimeter.
Diko was deployed by police in an attempt to take Barnes into custody, but Barnes stabbed him multiple times.
Officers were later able to take Barnes into custody using "low-lethal options," and he was taken to UMC Trauma for his injuries.
Police said Diko is at a vet clinic for treatment and is recovering.
Barnes was booked into the Clark County Detention Center for resisting a public officer with a deadly weapon, injuring or attempting to kill a police animal, and attempted arson.
Diko is also in the LVMPD Foundation's K-9 calendar, and proceeds from which will go toward supporting their working dogs.
