A gunman who allegedly shot a South Carolina deputy and killed a K-9 took was fatally shot after a 26-hour manhunt Thursday.
Charleston County Master Deputy James Gilbreath was part of a search for a shooting suspect—identified as Ernest Robert Burbage III—on Johns Island on Wednesday, WCBD-TV reports. During the search, Burbage is a accused of opening fire on Gilbreath.
The deputy was struck in the head by gunfire, and another person also was shot. Both were taken to the hospital, and Gilbreath was released Thursday. Details about the other person's condition were not released.
The search continued for Burbage, 38, and Dorchester County deputies and a South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) SWAT unit located him in a Johns Island house. A robot was deployed in the house first to try to find Burbage, who was armed with a high-powered rifle. Then a SLED K-9 named Rico was sent in.
Burbage shot and killed the K-9, and then exited the house through a window, according to WCSC-TV. He contronted authorities with a gun and was fatally shot.
“This is a tough day," said Charleston County Sheriff Kristin Graziano. "It’s a tough day for law enforcement, but if it wasn’t for Rico this could have been much, much worse."
Rico was a 3-year-old Belgian Malinois mix, and he had been with the agency for just over a year.
“K-9 Rico participated in too many apprehensions to name,” said SLED Chief Mark Keel. “He was out almost every single day, working with our folks and working with sheriffs and city police departments across our state.”
