Suspect Arrested in Armed Robbery , K9 Shooting Death

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) –A Richland County sheriff’s department dog has died after it was shot during the search for an armed robbery suspect near Columbia. Sheriff’s deputies, Columbia police and the Highway Patrol began searching for a suspected robber north of Columbia shortly about 2 a.m. Friday. Authorities say he was arrested about nine hours later near Eau Claire High School. Sheriff Leon Lott says an officer and a dog confronted the suspect just after the robbery and the dog attacked the man, who fired back. The dog was hit three times and died at an emergency veterinarian’s office. The officer was not hit in an exchange of gunfire but injured his knee during a chase. Six schools in the area delayed the start of classes because of the search.