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K-9 Spike Killed After Suspect Opens Fire During Dramatic 5 Freeway Manhunt in Burbank
A routine traffic stop spiraled into chaos on Friday night when a wanted suspect fled into a residential area near the 5 Freeway in Burbank, triggering an hours-long manhunt that ended with a beloved police K-9 fatally shot and the suspect killed during an exchange of gunfire.
A deeply shaken community is now mourning the loss of K-9 Spike, a devoted service dog who had celebrated his birthday only days before the confrontation. His death marked the most devastating moment in a rapidly escalating police operation that shut down the freeway, brought in multiple agencies, and unfolded in full view of affected residents.
How the Incident Began
The ordeal started around 6:40 p.m. on November 22, 2025, when Burbank Police conducted a routine traffic stop in the 2400 block of Buena Vista Street, adjacent to the northbound on-ramp of Interstate 5. Officers were speaking with the driver when a passenger suddenly bolted from the vehicle and leapt over the freeway embankment wall, disappearing into a nearby neighborhood.
Believing the man could be armed based on observations made during the stop, officers stayed with the driver while calling for immediate backup. The situation intensified within minutes as multiple units, including K-9 teams and a police helicopter, launched a coordinated ground-and-air search across dense terrain near the freeway.
As officers pushed deeper into the overgrown area bordering the freeway, K-9 Spike successfully tracked the suspect’s hiding place. But the moment Spike located him, the suspect opened fire, striking the dog multiple times.
Officers rushed Spike to an emergency veterinary hospital, where initial updates suggested he was undergoing surgery. The department, fellow officers, and local residents held onto hope that the devoted K-9 would pull through. Tragically, Spike succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.
The shooting immediately escalated the urgency of the manhunt. Officers regrouped, deploying additional K-9 teams, crisis negotiators, and the Burbank Police SWAT Team, while air support maintained visual tracking on the suspect’s location near nearby homes.
Negotiations Fail as Suspect Fires on Officers
Shortly after midnight, Burbank and Glendale Police established a containment perimeter around the suspect, who remained concealed in thick brush near the freeway. Crisis negotiators repeatedly attempted to persuade him to surrender peacefully, and police deployed less-lethal systems in the hope of avoiding further violence.
But the suspect refused every attempt at negotiation. Instead, he opened fire on officers, striking multiple police vehicles. Officers returned fire, hitting the suspect, who was pronounced deceased at the scene. A handgun believed to have been used throughout the standoff was recovered nearby. Authorities said confirmation of the suspect’s identity was still pending.
Major Freeway Shutdown and Citywide Disruption
The massive police response required an unprecedented traffic shutdown. A SigAlert was issued around 11 p.m., closing all northbound lanes of the 5 Freeway at Burbank Boulevard. Weekend motorists found themselves in gridlock for miles as officers continued searching the brush, processing the scene, and securing the area.
Police urged residents along Buena Vista Street and surrounding blocks to stay indoors and avoid the area. Investigators remained on scene well into daylight hours as they documented evidence, collected ballistic material, and examined the terrain where Spike and officers had first confronted the gunman.
Community Mourns a Fallen K-9 Hero
On November 23, the Burbank Police Department confirmed Spike’s death in a moving tribute posted on social media. The department described him as “an intelligent and devoted partner, known for his gentle nature off duty and his tenacity and dedication while serving.” The post was immediately met with an outpouring of grief from residents, K-9 handlers, and law enforcement agencies across the state.
Spike’s handler, the department noted, was “devastated by the loss of his partner and friend,” and fellow officers paid their respects at the veterinary facility where Spike was pronounced dead. The tribute amassed thousands of reactions within hours, with many residents thanking Spike for his service and honoring the sacrifice he made in the line of duty.
Spike’s death underscores the deadly risks police K-9s face as they support officers during high-risk searches, felony stops, and operations in unpredictable terrain. Dogs like Spike are specially trained to locate armed suspects in situations where visibility and human access are severely limited — precisely the environment where Friday’s confrontation unfolded.
Law enforcement officials emphasized that Spike’s ability to find the suspect likely prevented further ambush attempts and may have saved officers and residents from additional harm.
Investigation Continues
Burbank Police said the investigation into the full sequence of events remains ongoing. Detectives are reconstructing the timeline of the traffic stop, the suspect’s escape, the fatal shooting of K-9 Spike, and the officer-involved shooting that ended the standoff. Forensic teams continue to analyse physical evidence from the dense brush where the suspect hid for hours.
Anyone with information about the incident is urged to contact the Burbank Police Department Investigations Division at (818) 238-3210.
