Person Shot & Killed, K-9 Officer Stabbed & Killed In Wilkinsburg

WILKINSBURG (KDKA) - A person was shot and killed, and a K-9 officer was stabbed and killed in Wilkinsburg on Sunday.

Port Authority Police say it began when Bruce Kelley Jr. and his father, Bruce Kelley Sr., got into a fight around 3:30 p.m.

They escaped officers once, and eventually Port Authority Police caught up with them near the Hamnett Place bus stop on the East Busway.

Police say Bruce Kelley Jr. refused orders and when using a stun gun didn't work, they released K-9 Officer Aren in an effort to capture Kelley.

"At the time they released the dog on him, he had a knife and he stabbed the dog and the dog went down. Then officers shot and killed the man," said Supt. Charlie Moffat with County Police.

Police do not yet know how many times Aren was stabbed or how many times Kelly was shot.

One witness told KDKA she heard what happened between the suspect and police.

"First they pulled out the taser, and they used the taser on him, and I heard someone say 'you don't have to kill him, you don't have to kill him,' then the shots happened and I think it was like six or seven," the witness said.

Aren, a 4-year veteran of the Port Authority Police force, was rushed to a nearby veterinary facility, where he was pronounced dead.

The Pittsburgh Police K-9 Unit posted on Facebook, mourning the loss.

The dog was not wearing a protective vest.

"It's a horrible thing. He's a member of that officer's family. He's a member of the law enforcement family," said Chief Matt Porter with Port Authority Police.

The killed suspect's father, Bruce Kelley Sr. Was captured. It is not clear if he will face charges.

Police bid a solemn farewell to Aren late Sunday night. An autopsy will be performed this week by the County Medical Examiner.

Nearly two years ago, a K-9 officer named Rocco died after being stabbed in Lawrenceville.

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