Missing State Police K9 Found With Gunshot Wound After Police-Involved Shooting

INDIANAPOLIS, IN – The Indiana State Police said they're continuing to investigate an overnight officer-involved shooting that resulted in a wounded suspect and the search for a missing state police K9, who has since been located. ISP says Trooper Walter Butt and his K9 partner Apache (both pictured) were looking for a suspect, who they say is a 26-year-old man named Cortez Lavine Boxley of Indianapolis. ISP says he ran from police early Tuesday evening. The five-year ISP veteran, Trooper Butt, saw a man matching the description of the suspect behind O'Reilly Auto Parts on 38th Street, west of Post Road, according to ISP.

Police say Trooper Butt talked to the suspect, but was pushed away when he tried to pat the man down for weapons. ISP said the suspect then ran away, causing the trooper to open his car door and release Apache to chase after the man.

ISP said the suspect allegedly turned shot at the trooper and K9 several times from a handgun, and the trooper shot back, hitting the man.

(For more information on this and other neighborhood stories, subscribe to Indianapolis Patch to receive daily newsletters and breaking news alerts and LIKE Indianapolis Patch on Facebook).

More from Patch:

• National Stop Bullying Day 2017: A Day To Take A Stand Against Bullying
• 2017 Sex Offender Numbers In Indy, Noblesville & Zionsville

According to police, Trooper Butt and two other troopers responded to the suspect's injuries by applying a tourniquet to his leg to stop bleeding, before he was taken to Eskenazi Hospital where he's listed as being in "serious but stable" condition.

The K9 reportedly ran from the scene, leading to a 12-hour search that ended when someone contacted police about possibly seeing Apache on Aspen way. Trooper Butt arrived to the area, and Apache ran to his side. However, a veterinarian determined Apache suffered a gunshot wound to the neck, but is expected to fully recover, ISP said.

Police say the investigation includes the source of the gunshot wound to K9 Apache, the number of shots fired by the suspect and Trooper Butt, and the recovery of a handgun, black mask and drug paraphernalia from the suspect, and potential criminal charges.

Photo credit: Indiana State Police