RANCHO SANTA FE (KGTV) — A San Diego County Sheriff Department K-9 deputy was stabbed in the eye by a man wielding a knife in a quiet North County neighborhood early Saturday morning.
The incident happened at around 5:30 a.m. in the 6000 block of Paseo Delicias in Rancho Santa Fe.
According to a sheriff’s spokesperson, deputies responded to reports of a man armed with a knife and screaming in front of an apartment complex.
Deputies tried to subdue the man using non-lethal force, including a K-9 deputy. The suspect then stabbed the dog in the eye and fled into a residential complex, the spokesperson said.
The suspect broke into one of the units, confronted the occupant and held him at knifepoint.
"The occupant was able to free himself and hid inside the bathroom, and locked himself inside," said sheriff's Lt. Kenneth Nelson.
The suspect stepped out of the unit and told deputies that he slashed the throat of the occupant.
Deputies opened fire at the suspect after he raised his knife at the officers.
The suspect, described as a white male in his 50s, was transported to a nearby hospital. His condition is unknown at this time.
The K-9 deputy, named Banjer, was transported to a nearby veterinarian. Banjer received stitches and will be on light duty and training while he recovers, the sheriff's office said.
The resident inside the apartment was unharmed.
Stay with 10News for updates on this developing story.
