Suspect charged in fatal shooting of K-9 officer

DELTONA, Fla. (WOFL FOX 35) - A man arrested the fatal shooting of a Volusia County Sheriff's Office K-9 faces a slew of charges.

Eddie Durell Powell, 34, was shot during a standoff with deputies on Tuesday afternoon and is receiving medical treatment for non life-threatening injuries at Central Florida Regional Hospital.

Authorities say K-9 Forrest was shot during an exchange of gunfire between deputies and Powell, shortly before 8 p.m. on Monday. The incident happened near Vann Park.

K-9 Forrest was rushed to DeLand Animal Hospital following the shooting but couldn't be saved. Powell is now charged with use of a deadly weapon against a police dog, two counts of attempted second-degree murder with a firearm, possession of a weapon or ammunition by a convicted felon, fleeing or attempting to elude a law enforcement officer, and failure to register a motor vehicle.

Deputies were investigating a Crime Stoppers tip for a fugitive at a home on Wing Terrace, when they encountered Powell, according to a spokesman with the Sheriff's Office.