GBI Names Suspect In DeKalb Police K9 Shooting

STONE MOUNTAIN, GA — The Georgia Bureau of Investigation has named the man they say is responsible for shooting and injuring a police K9 earlier this week.

Akinyia Malik Jerome Gray, 26, of Stone Mountain, was located Tuesday by several DeKalb County Police officers after they received a suspicious person call at a convenience store near Thornwood Lane.

Gray had numerous outstanding felony warrants including possession of a firearm by convicted felon, obstruction of justice, and hit and run charges, the GBI said.

As officers approached Gray, he discharged his firearm, striking and critically injuring K9 D’Jango. Several officers returned fire, striking Gray. He later died as a result of his injuries, the GBI said.

D’Jango is currently in critical condition at a local veterinary hospital. He's expected to undergo a second surgery within the next day or so, as soon as the doctors clear him, the department said.

"D'Jango was injured near his pelvic/lower abdomen area with significant damage to his right rear femur," the department said. "No significant organs were damaged. His condition is still very serious, but with each hour that passes, we're more optimistic about his recovery!"

No other officers were injured in this incident.

The GBI will continue its independent investigation. Once complete, it will be turned over to the DeKalb County District Attorney’s Office for review.

This is the 69th officer involved shooting that the GBI has been requested to investigate in 2019, Public Information Officer Nelly Miles said.