Jul 17, 2008 10:46 pm US/Eastern
BSO K9 Killed In Shootout At Miami Beach Hospital
Law Enforcement Cannot Confirm Who Shot At The Police Dog
MIAMI BEACH (CBS4) ―
-
-
Oozi, BSO K9 killed in the line of duty
CBS
-
-
Deputy Jerry Wengert and K-9 Oozi
Broward Sheriff's Office
A man whom police shot near Mt. Sinai Hospital in Miami Beach early Thursday allegedly led officers on a high speed chase through Miami-Dade and Broward counties, resulting in the death of an officer's dog. The Broward Sheriff's Office said the incident began around 12:30 a.m. when they received a call about shots being fired in the 300 block of Northeast 35th Court.When deputies arrived, Michelle Taylor said her former boyfriend, 27-year old Delvin Lewis, had fired several shots at her during an argument and then took off.
Taylor, who was not injured, gave deputies a description of Lewis' car; and police issued a "BOLO", or "be on the lookout."
Lewis was spotted a short time later in the area of I-95 and Commercial Boulevard. More than a dozen officers joined the pursuit as the chase headed south into Miami Dade County.
Nelda Fonticiella of Miami-Dade police said, "Once the vehicle entered Dade County, our officers tried to detain him the subject continued eluding police."
The chase came to an end outside of Mt. Sinai Medical Center when Lewis bailed out of the car and fired several shots at the deputies and other police officers. Deputies returned fire. In the melee, a BSO K-9 dog "Oozi" was struck and killed.
BSO spokesman Jim Leljedahl said it is not clear whether it was a round from an officer's gun, or from Lewis' gun, that killed Oozi. A necropsy will be be performed on Oozi's body to determine who fired the deadly round.
"Oozi" was a 7-and-a-half year old Belgian Malinois. He was assigned to Cooper City. He was trained in narcotics and had helped with hundreds of arrests, including three dozen this year alone. Hospital personnel tried to save "Oozi" but he died on the scene.
Lewis was shot in the exchange of gunfire with police. He was taken to Jackson Memorial Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
Lewis has been charged with aggravated assault with a motor vehicle on a law enforcement officer; aggravated fleeing and eluding; resisting an officer with violence and principal in the death of a police dog.
Lewis is no stranger to the law. In 2003, he was charged with injuring, or killing, a law enforcement animal. His record also includes drug charges, battery on a police officer, battery on a pregnant woman and resisting arrest.
Oozi and his handler, Deputy Jerry Wengert, received employee of the month honors in May 2008 for their apprehension of burglary suspects that tried running them over.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
Hurricane Ike Hits Texas Coast
Click to enlarge
Click to enlarge
Click to enlarge
Stumble It!
