Anoka K-9 wounded during pursuit that left suspect fatally shot leaves hospital a day later

A police dog was released from the hospital Monday and is recovering from being shot during a pursuit that started in Blaine and ended in Isanti County with one suspect killed and another jailed.

Bravo was tended to at the University of Minnesota Veterinary Medical Center by a "team of heroes who will be able to provide him with the best care possible," the Anoka Police Department said in a Facebook posting about its four-legged law enforcer.

The K-9 left the medical center Monday afternoon without needing surgery, the Police Department said.

A bullet "nicked his trachea and caused some soft-tissue damage," a police statement read. Veterinary personnel "believe it will heal on its own," the statement said.

Blaine Police Chief Brian Podany said officers responded to a call involving a possible shoplifting theft at Kohl's department store just before 1 p.m. Sunday.

The two suspects had a stolen vehicle and fled, then carjacked another vehicle nearby, a pickup truck, at gunpoint, leading police on a 40-mile high-speed chase through Anoka and Isanti counties, police said.

After the pickup became disabled on Hwy. 65 outside Braham, the suspects got out and ran. They exchanged gunfire with police, who killed a man who has not yet been identified. A gun was recovered at the scene.

Anoka police said in their Facebook message that "we are confident that extreme acts of bravery were displayed. ... We are also confident that K-9 Bravo performed his duties with the greatest act of heroism."

No officers or suspects had been identified as of midafternoon Monday. One officer suffered minor injuries during the pursuit. The state Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, which is investigating the confrontation, has yet to release details of the incident.

Emergency dispatch audio has so far offered the most detailed account of the pursuit, which sliced north on Hwy. 65 in Blaine in what officers described as "heavy traffic" and speeds topping 100 mph.

"They tried to hit me," one officer reported to dispatch early on in the encounter that revealed one suspect "presented a gun."

Just north of Cambridge, the stolen pickup was "driving in the oncoming traffic" for several miles in Isanti County, according to dispatch audio, while still traveling at speeds of at least 90 miles per hour and with two or more tires deflated by law enforcement "stop sticks."

The disabled pickup ended up in a ditch north of Braham, an officer informed dispatch nearly 30 minutes into the pursuit.

Within a minute, an officer shouted, "Shots fired! Shots fired!" Law enforcement reported one of the suspects was shot and immediately called for medical personnel. The other suspect was quickly arrested.

Paul Walsh • 612-673-4482