UPDATE 3/30/33 1:45PM:

The man who is accused of shooting buddy has been arrested and charged.

Richard J. McGuire, 44, is now charged with commercial burglary, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and injuring a public service animal.

UPDATE 3:45PM:

Buddy is improving. He is now off oxygen support and breathing on his own. Veterinary staff has had him up and moving around.

UPDATE:

We have received a status update for Buddy. He’s now in stable condition.

ORIGINAL POST:
A Moss Point K9 officer named Buddy is fighting for his life after being shot in the chest by a suspect he was pursuing.

A release from Moss Point Police Chief Brandon Ashley said officers were responding to a burglary alarm at a Shell Station on Highway 63 and began a search for a suspect. They found him behind a building and when he ran, police sent K9 Buddy after him. Both the suspect and Buddy went over a privacy fence and into a wooded area.

Officers heard gunfire. Buddy came out of the woods, returned to his handler, and collapsed on the ground. He had been shot by the suspect.

He was taken immediately to an emergency veterinary clinic in Mobile where he underwent emergency surgery for the bullet wound to his chest. This morning, Buddy remains in very serious condition.

Officers were able to locate the property stolen from the building, but Buddy’s alleged attacker escaped.

Around 6 a.m., however, officers noticed a suspicious vehicle that matched a description they had received of the suspect’s vehicle. Officers approached the vehicle and detained the male and female occupants. Inside the car, police found evidence which linked them to the business burglary. They are currently being interviewed by detectives.

Chief Ashley said felony charges will be forthcoming.

If you have any information regarding this case, please contact Detective Kimberlee Snowden of the Moss Point Police Department at 228-475-1711 or you can give an anonymous tip to Crimestoppers at 800-787-5898 or on the web at www.mscoastcrimestoppers.com.