The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) is seeking the public's support and prayers for the swift recovery of one of its K9 units following a stabbing incident during a SWAT operation. The situation unfolded around 1 p.m. on Friday, when authorities responded to a distress call involving a male in a suicidal state, as reported by LVMPD Deputy Chief Branden Clarkson in a media briefing. 

Upon reaching an apartment in the 1200 block of South Las Vegas Boulevard, near Charleston Boulevard in downtown Las Vegas, officers found the individual barricaded inside, having started a small fire within the premises. SWAT teams, crisis negotiators, and additional reinforcements, including a K9 unit, were summoned to the scene as the standoff escalated into a barricade.

As the standoff progressed, the individual emerged from the apartment wielding a knife, and showing signs of self-inflicted wounds. He charged at the officers. Non-lethal measures were deployed in an attempt to subdue the person, which included deploying the K9 officer. 

In a statement Clarkson said, 

While they were deploying the less-than-lethal munitions, the suspect began stabbing K9 Enzo multiple times.

Enzo, an almost three-year-old Belgian Malinois, has been with LVMPD for one year. Video of the incident posted to social media captures the moments that Enzo was repeatedly stabbed by the suspect. 

Warning: this video is graphic and may be disturbing to some readers.

LVMPD alerted the public on social media, writing,

Breaking: an LVMPD K9 was seriously injured responding to a barricade in the 1200 block of South Las Vegas Boulevard. He was airlifted to a local animal hospital.

Enzo was taken to a nearby veterinary hospital before he was emergency life-flighted to a veterinary trauma hospital in an LVMPD air unit. Once there, Enzo underwent surgery around 4 p.m. You can watch the video of Enzo being carried by an LVMPD officer to a police helicopter, below.

Through non-lethal tactics, SWAT officers managed to apprehend the suspect safely. He was transported to the trauma unit at UMC and underwent surgery as well. Traffic in the vicinity was temporarily blocked off during the standoff and its aftermath, but roads were reported to have reopened by 4:30 p.m.

Clarkson appealed to the public for their thoughts and prayers for Enzo's "full recovery," saying,

What I would ask for you, K9 Enzo, he's currently in surgery, was stabbed multiple times, so any thoughts or prayers for our K9 officer to make sure he makes a full recovery.

On Friday night, LVMPD released a statement on the incident; Enzo is now in stable condition and is expected to survive his injuries.

The statement added that the male suspect remained in critical, but stable condition on Friday night. 

The Nevada Republican Party, chaired by Michael J. McDonald who previously served as an officer with LVMPD, posted in support of Enzo, writing,

Prayers for hero K9 dog Enzo and the @LVMPD  family. May the monster who hurt him receive a swift, harsh sentence.

Las Vegas community members have also flooded the LVMPD's comments section, to send their support, prayers, and well wishes for a speedy recovery to the K9 officer. 

Update [March 30, 2024, 7:12 p.m. EDT]: The LVMPD has released an update on Enzo's condition, and it's all positive news.

UPDATE: Enzo is feeling better today. The whole team is putting in time to give him that TLC. Thanks again to all the skilled veterinarians who have been taking care of Enzo. Thanks to VCA Decatur and Veterinary Emergency + Critical Care. pic.twitter.com/7VijQjSz4P

— LVMPD (@LVMPD) March 30, 2024