Richland County judge denies bond for 17-year-old charged with shooting police K9

COLUMBIA, SC (WOLO) — A teenager accused of shooting a K9 officer back in March appeared in a Richland County courtroom Monday afternoon.

Stemming from a stolen vehicle pursuit, 17-year-old Jeremy Taylor faces attempted murder charges and more.

“Our dogs are like family to us. They’re not just the animals we use or equipment,” said Richland County Deputy Bryan Hodge. “They live with us and stay with us all the time.”

Back in March, Richland County K9 Deputy Kobe was shot in the front paws while apprehending a suspect. Kobe, a tracking dog, returned to work on Friday after months of recovery.

“They search for drugs as well as missing and endangered people. The last few months, he hasn’t been able to do that,” Hodge, Kobe’s hander, said. “That makes us short one dog on the road. That’s affected the community more than anything.”

Monday afternoon, the suspect charged with shooting Kobe appeared at a bond hearing. Sheriff Leon Lott asked a Richland County judge to deny bond for 17 year old Jeremy Taylor.

Taylor’s defense attorney Jessica Sturgill asked for a surety bond for the teenager. 

“This young man is a threat to this community. He shot a dog and tried to kill a deputy. He’s not going to stop,” said Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott. “If he gets out, he’s going to continue. House arrest is probably the worst thing you can give him. Where was he at 2 am on a school night? His mom has been charged after this event so that demonstrates the family supervision he has.”

Taylor’s attorney also asked the judge to drop the attempted murder charge saying that the defendant did not mean to shoot at the deputy. Hodge believes Taylor was in fact aiming for him.

“Yes absolutely,” the deputy said. “I saw four muzzle flashes in my direction. It was clear as day. I’m not sure why they disputed that.”

The judge denied Taylor bond. The other suspect charged in connection to this incident was a 14-year-old who received probation.

“That’s our criminal justice system. All we can do is lock them up,” the sheriff said. “He had a gun and was in a stolen car but he did not shoot at us. He didn’t shoot Kobe and he didn’t try to kill Hodge.”

As for 17-year-old Taylor, Lott believes his age should not be considered as a factor.

“This is not his first rodeo,” Lott said. “This is not the first time he has been arrested. He has criminal charges as a juvenile. He’s been in the system before. He’s had his chances. If you try to kill one of us… you don’t deserve a second chance. You don’t deserve that.”

Taylor’s mother was also arrested back in March on an obstruction of justice charge.