A Maine Police K-9 was killed along with the suspect after an armed standoff situation late Monday.
Maine State Police and the Aroostook County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a Portage Lake home for a domestic violence incident.
29-year-old Steven Righini and a woman were fighting before he allegedly pushed her into a wall and locked himself inside the home with their 4-week-old infant.
Officers found the woman outside the home and attempted to arrest Righini but he pulled out and started shooting at officers, wounding Deputy Shane Campbell.
The suspect then retrieved another firearm and shot at police cruisers. Officers returned fire and spent hours trying to negotiate a surrender.
As Righini tried to flee the scene in a vehicle, police deployed a K-9 to apprehend him. The suspect fatally shot the Belgian Malinois in the abdomen and kept firing at officers.
That’s when two troopers shot Righini dead. One of them was the K-9’s handler.
“K-9 Preacher was more than just a working dog – he was a dedicated partner, a protector, and a hero,” Maine State Police Colonel William G. Ross said.
“Most people will never understand the sacrifices made by our K-9 teams, but last night, Preacher made the ultimate sacrifice to protect others from harm.”
