TEXAS — (Press Release / APD) — The Arlington Police Department mourns the loss of K9 Mojo who passed away after searching for an aggravated assault suspect earlier today. Detectives were tracking a fugitive wanted in conjunction with the shooting of another man.
The original shooting incident occurred on June 12, 2016 and detectives had secured an arrest warrant for 17-year-old suspect Shune Deon Arnold Jr. At around 8 a.m., officers attempted to conduct a traffic stop on the suspect vehicle. The suspect refused to pull over and fled in the car and officers initiated a pursuit. The pursuit terminated in the 7100 block of Chambers Creek Court and the suspect bailed out on foot.
Officers set up a perimeter and chased the suspect on foot but he continued to elude officers in the area. A K9 team was dispatched around 10 a.m. to assist in searching for the fugitive. Around 11:15 a.m., the handler notified officers that Mojo appeared to be overheating in the search and requested water and an immediate transport to the hospital. K9 Mojo was transported to an animal hospital for treatment. He succumbed to injuries believed to be sustained due to the heat around 2:30 p.m. this afternoon.
The suspect was apprehended around 4:30 p.m. after a 9-1-1 caller reported seeing him in the area. This is still unfolding but he is in custody.
Mojo, a Belgian Malinois, was born in Holland and has been with the department since June of 2010. K9 Handler Ramsour, a 23-year veteran, has served on the department’s K9 team since 1997 and had a total of three police service dogs during his tenure. His two previous dogs retired honorably and Mojo had been his partner for the past 6 years. Police K9 teams are loyal companions and partners and provide a valuable service to the citizens of Arlington. Mojo has been credited with many felony apprehensions and searches for dangerous criminals.
“Today we experienced a significant loss to our APD team. Mojo was an exceptional K9 partner, friend, and served the citizens of Arlington honorably,” said Assistant Police Chief Kevin Kolbye. The department appreciates the words of encouragement and prayers.
This is the first K9 death during a duty assignment in Arlington.
