Man Accused Of Killing Police K9 Charged

TACOMA, WA — A man has been charged for the shooting that killed a police K9 and injured her handler earlier this month.

The incident in question started on August 12 when, according to the Tacoma Police Department, just after 8 p.m. a group started shooting at each other in the parking lot of a strip mall on S Yakima Avenue. One person was killed by that shootout.

Around 1:20 a.m. the next morning, a Tacoma Police Officer saw a suspect believed to be involved in that shooting, later identified as Dyrell Swinson. Police say Swinson led that officer on a brief car chase that ended when he crashed, and escaped on foot.

To track Swinson down, officers called in a K9 unit, but as the unit drew close to Swinson, he opened fire.

Investigators say Swinson used a stolen pistol to fire at officers as he hid underneath a car parked in front of a triplex around 3600 M Street. Swinson reportedly fired five times. At least one bullet struck the K9 Ronja, who later died from her injuries. The K9's handler was also injured, but less severely.

Hearing the shots, one of the Tacoma police officers on scene returned fire, also shooting five bullets with his rifle. Swinson was hit several times and critically injured. He was detained shortly afterwards and taken to the hospital for treatment.

Now, police say Swinson has been charged with three counts of assault in the first degree for firing a firearm at police officers, one count for harming a police dog and one for unlawful possession of a firearm in the second degree.

He is expected to be released from the hospital soon, at which point he will be booked into the Pierce County Jail.

Meanwhile, the officer who fired on Swinson, identified by investigators as Officer Nathan Reetz, has been placed on paid administrative leave until Lakewood Police and Washington State Patrol finish their investigation into the shooting. Reetz has been with Tacoma Police for two and a half years. His placement on paid leave is standard procedure in Washington state.

The investigation into his use of force is still ongoing and police are asking anyone who may have seen anything to give them a call at (253) 830-5044, or (253) 830-5042.