New footage released this week by the Burbank Police Department in California captures the dramatic moment Spike, a K-9 police dog, was fatally shot during an operation that lasted several hours along Interstate 5.

The footage, recorded by body cameras The footage shows how Spike was sent into a densely vegetated area to locate 37-year-old Jose Domingo Ayala Alas after he fled on foot following a traffic stop on November 22, around 6:40 p.m. Shortly after entering the area, gunshots were heard. The dog returned seriously wounded, in what authorities described as one of the most critical moments of the operation. An operation that turned deadly. According to a statement from the Burbank Police Department, the incident began when officers stopped a vehicle near Interstate 5. Both the driver and the passenger—later identified as Ayala Alas—indicated they had no identification. When asked to exit the vehicle, Ayala Alas fled into the brush bordering the freeway. When the suspect refused to surrender, authorities launched a coordinated search that included a police helicopter and the intervention of a K-9 unit. During the search, the suspect repeatedly opened fire, hitting the dog before fleeing again. Spike died despite efforts to save him. After being shot, Spike was rushed to a nearby veterinarian. However, he did not survive his injuries, the police department confirmed. “The loss of Spike is deeply felt by our department and the entire community,” authorities said, highlighting the dog's role in high-risk operations. The shooting of the dog did not end the incident. Ayala Alas remained armed and continued firing at officers for hours.refusing to surrender. Due to the seriousness of the situation, an armored vehicle from the SWAT team was deployed.

Finally, shortly before 11:30 p.m., the suspect was shot and killed by police after firing at officers again with a 9mm handgun, according to the Burbank Police Department.

Suspect's Background and Immigration Status

Authorities reported that Ayala Alas was an alleged member of the 18th Street gang, with a criminal record related to firearms. He had also illegally entered the United States in 2010, after having been previously deported.

The department confirmed that a full investigation has been launched to review the use of force and the circumstances of the confrontation.