PALM BEACH COUNTY, Fla. — A 19-year-old arrested following the deadly shooting of a Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office K-9 on Christmas Eve is pleading not guilty, according to court documents.
RELATED: Memorial service announced for K-9 killed in the line of duty | Child writes heartfelt letter after death of K-9
19-year-old Justin Vazquez is facing charges in a separate case. Detectives said he was involved in a drive-by shooting outside the Hookah Lounge at 2601 S. Military Trail on Dec. 7.
A judge denied him bond, according to court documents.
The Sheriff's Office said it was attempting to arrest Vazquez and another man on Christmas Eve at the Mall at Wellington Green in connection with that Dec. 7 shooting.
Deputies said Vazquez surrendered immediately, but the second suspect, 28-year-old Giovany Ramos Alvarez, took off running.
Deputies deployed their 3-year-old K9, Cigo, to take down Alvarez.
Authorities said Alvarez opened fire as he was running, striking the German Shepherd. Two deputies returned fire and hit Alvarez, according to the Sheriff's Office.
Cigo was taken to an animal hospital and later died.
Alvarez is now in critical but stable condition in the hospital.
