K9 Raven - Tucson Police Department - Arizona

K9 Raven - Tucson Police Department - Arizona

After only serving 5 months with the Tucson Police Department (Arizona), K9 Raven was shot while apprehending a suspect. 

At approximately 8:30 p.m. on October 9, 2023, officers were responding to a male in a mental health crisis and reports of gunfire in a park.  In an effort to de-escalate the situation, officers evacuated the park while hostage negotiators communicated with the subject. When the man walked away from the officers, K9 Raven was deployed. The subject turned and shot at officers, who returned fire. K9 Raven was struck three times.

K9 Raven was transported to Valley Animal Hospital.  K9 Raven survived his wounds but was paralyzed.  Over time, K9 Raven was able to walk again, but succumbed to his wounds on July 5, 2025.

The suspect was transferred to Banner University Medical Center with life-threatening gunshot wounds, but survived. He pleaded guilty to one count of discharging a firearm in city limits, five counts of endangerment, and one count of interference with a working or service animal and was sentenced to probation.

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