Dallas police officer, K9 shot in Pleasant Grove; suspect killed

DALLAS - A Dallas police officer and K9 were shot early Friday morning in Dallas' Pleasant Grove neighborhood.

DPD said the wounded officer was shot in the leg and shoulder at about 2:30 a.m. while confronting a suspect in another shooting at Prairie Creek Road and Scyene Circle.

Police said the officer returned fire, killing the suspect.

The officer was rushed to Baylor Medical Center in East Dallas, where he is awake and talking. His injuries are not considered life-threatening.

The K9 was also hit in the exchange of gunfire and is also expected to recover.

"The officer was hit at least twice, once in the shoulder and once in the leg. The K9 was also hit," DPD Assistant Director Kristin Lowman said.

The Dallas Police Association said the officer is well known in the department and has been with Dallas PD for about 20 years.

"He's doing well, obviously he's in care. He's going to be here for a while, spoke with the family, but he's doing well," said Sgt. Mike Mata, the president of the Dallas Police Association.

Police were trying to find a person who was wanted for a domestic shooting in the area on Thursday night.

Two people were shot in a home on Cypress Avenue around 9:45 p.m., both of those victims are expected to survive.

"The suspect shot two people in that home. Those victims were taken to a local hospital and are expected to survive," Lowman said. "After that shooting, the suspect ran to a nearby creek bed area."

The Canine Unit and Air 1 were called to the scene and located the suspect in a creek area. Then shots were exchanged.

The officer and his K9 partner were hit. Dallas police say the suspect was also hit by gunfire.

Dallas police said that the suspect died from his injuries.

Mata said the veteran officer is worried about his K9 companion.

"It is his partner. He spends every day with him. The dog lives with him in his home," Mata said. "The dogs go out there and risk their lives just like the officers do."

Detectives have not said how the suspect knew the two people he shot or how any of the three are related.

As the investigation plays out, Mata is asking the community to lift up the officer and his K9 partner.

"Just want to ask the citizens of Dallas to pray. Pray for the officer's recovery," he said. "With God's help, he's going to be just fine."

The police department is expected to release body camera footage and more information about the shooting on Monday.