Police Identify Man Who Shot, Killed K9 in Hemet

Police have identified the man who died in a standoff with officers in Hemet in which a police K9 was killed.

Todd Hodge, 36, of Hemet, a wanted felon, died in an officer-involved shooting after he emerged from a crawl space under a house while armed with a handgun, police said. Before emerging from under the house, Hodge shot a police dog that later died from his injuries.

The incident took place on Wednesday about 2:30 p.m. when deputies from the Hemet Sheriff's Station responded to the area of San Jacinto Street and Clark Drive in regards to a wanted felon seen in the area. Deputies were informed that the suspect was last seen in a property located on the 40200 block of Clark Drive. A San Jacinto Police K9 handler and his K9 partner Sultan responded to assist in the search of the wanted felon.

During the search, K9 Sultan alerted officers to a crawl space underneath a residence. Due to the confined space, the K9 was sent in to determine if the suspect was hiding. Moments later, an indistinguishable noise was heard and K9 Sultan returned from the crawl space with a gunshot wound to his neck. K9 Sultan was immediately transported to local veterinarian hospital, where he died.

Because the suspect refused to exit the residence and barricaded himself inside, the Riverside County Sheriff's Department SWAT Team responded. During the lengthy standoff, SWAT personnel made numerous announcements to have the suspect surrender.

In an attempt to have the suspect surrender peacefully, SWAT personnel deployed tear gas. Shortly thereafter, the suspect emerged from underneath the residence armed with a handgun and a deputy involved shooting occurred, police said.

The suspect, since identified as Hodge, died at the scene.