St Johns County Sheriff’s spokesman Chuck Mulligan is reporting to Historic City News this morning that K-9 Baron was killed in the line of duty as he pursued Brandon Bernard Allison; a man with an outstanding arrest warrant, wanted in connection with a disturbance that occurred in the area of the 1900 block of CR-207, near I-95.
Deputies responded to the disturbance call at 3:20 a.m. at a residence on Twin Aspen Circle; but, before they arrived, Allison fled into the neighboring woods. K-9 Baron and his handler, Deputy Farrah Ashe, pursued the scent until they reached a fence. There, Ashe lifted Baron over the fence. As the deputy scaled the fence, Baron took up the scent and gave chase deeper into the woods, according to televised broadcasts.
Ashe reported that she heard the German shepherd engage; however, by the time she could reach him, she found the dog unresponsive in shallow water. It is not clear, according to Commander Mulligan, whether Baron was killed and left in the water or if he was drowned.
Life saving measures were administered to K-9 Baron. He was transported to a veterinarian hospital where he died.
Media Relations Officer Kevin Kelshaw told local Historic City News reporters that Allison, whose last known address was 1077 Puryear Street in St Augustine, is a 26-year-old black male, 5’9” tall, 160 pounds with brown eyes and black hair.
If you have any information as to the whereabouts of Brandon Bernard Allison, call 9-1-1. You can remain anonymous and be eligible for a reward up to $1,000 by calling Crime Stoppers of Northeast Florida at 1-888-277-8477.