VCSO: k-9 gunned down in cold blood by suspected fugitive who also fired shots at deputies in Deltona before getting away

Photos for Headline Surfer / K-9 'Forrest' arrived at the Volusia County Sheriff's Office for duty back in mi-February. The dog was shot to death Tuesday pursuing a suspected fugitive from justice. The gunman remains at large, though deputies believe they have him surrounded in the area of Vann Park in Deltona, Florida.

DELTONA, Fla. --A Volusia County Sheriff’s Office K-9 suffered a fatal gunshot this evening after chasing down an armed suspect who fled and fired at deputies in Deltona, an agency spokesman said.

"K-9 Forrest was rushed to DeLand Animal Hospital following the shooting but couldn’t be saved," Sheriff's spokesman Andrew Gant told Headline Surfer.  "Forrest was shot at about 7:16 p.m. near Vann Park after the suspect opened fire on deputies who were searching for him in a wooded area."

"K-9 Forrest was rushed to DeLand Animal Hospital following the shooting but couldn’t be saved," Sheriff's spokesman Andrew Gant, shown here at left, told Headline Surfer.  "Forrest was shot at about 7:16 p.m. near Vann Park after the suspect opened fire on deputies who were searching for him in a wooded area."

Deputies were in the area investigating a Crime Stoppers tip about a wanted fugitive at a home on Wing Terrace. While they were outside the address of the tip, a man drove by recklessly on a white dirt bike. When a deputy tried to stop him, the suspect fled. Deputies did not pursue him. Shortly thereafter, he drove by recklessly again, and disappeared again. The dirt bike was later found abandoned nearby.

Later, as deputies were contacting the people inside the house where the fugitive was believed to be staying, they heard someone jumping over fences in the area. Deputies set up a perimeter, and the Sheriff’s Office Air One helicopter spotted the suspect in a nearby wooded area. K-9 Forrest had started tracking to him when the suspect opened fire, prompting both deputies to return fire.

As of 11:50 p.m., the armed fugitive was still surrounded by law enforcement in the area of Vann Park. Additional updates will be provided as they become available.