K9 Contact with Hospitalization NRF003-26wc

**The following information is based on a preliminary and ongoing investigation, which continues to evolve as investigators interview witnesses, review physical and electronic records, and analyze forensic evidence. The Department’s understanding of the facts and circumstances may change as additional evidence is collected and analyzed**

Los Angeles: The Los Angeles Police Department’s (LAPD) Force Investigation Division is investigating a K9 Contact with Hospitalization that occurred in Harbor Division.

On January 8, 2026, at around 2:58 p.m., a Harbor Area uniformed officer was patrolling the area of Cary Avenue and East Opp Street when he observed the suspect, later identified as Christian Vasquez, conduct a vehicle code violation on his bicycle. When the officer attempted to conduct a traffic stop, Vasquez dropped his bicycle and fled on foot. A foot pursuit ensued. During the foot pursuit, Vasquez removed a handgun from a crossbody bag and placed the handgun into his waistband. Vasquez then discarded the crossbody bag. The officer set up a perimeter, and Metropolitan (METRO) K9 officers were requested to respond and conduct a search.

Prior to conducting their search, several K9 announcements were made via a Public Address system, directing Vasquez to surrender. Vasquez failed to comply. A K9 search commenced, and the K9 located Vasquez in a crawl space under a residence, where a K9 bite occurred. Vasquez was taken into custody without further incident. Vasquez sustained a wound to his right arm. Officers requested a rescue ambulance, which transported Vasquez to a local hospital, where he was treated and admitted for injuries he sustained related to the K9 bite.

Vasquez was later booked for 11378 H&S- Possession of a Controlled Substance for Sales. The crossbody bag recovered at scene, which contained narcotics was booked as evidence.

No officers or other community members were injured as a result of this occurrence.

Force Investigation Division (FID) personnel responded and are conducting an investigation into this incident.