Overview
- Officers initiated a Saturday evening traffic stop near the northbound I‑5 Buena Vista Street on‑ramp when a passenger fled into a nearby residential area.
- During the search, the armed man shot K‑9 Spike after the dog located him; Spike was rushed to an emergency veterinarian and pronounced dead.
- Spike was a four‑year‑old Belgian Malinois and a two‑year Burbank police veteran who had recently been certified in narcotics detection.
- The operation expanded to include Glendale police, crisis negotiators, additional K‑9 units and SWAT; after the suspect fired at officers and struck vehicles, police returned fire, killing him and recovering a handgun.
- Authorities have not released the suspect’s identity; the investigation continues as a memorial and flag‑draped procession honor Spike, with a public service to be announced.