Florida man stabs K9 before manhunt comes to an end

A man from Bradenton was arrested after deputies said he stabbed a K9 after running from deputies in a stolen vehicle and breaking into someone's home.

The Manatee County Sheriff's Office (MCSO) said Christopher Darlington, 36, was driving a stolen vehicle in the parking lot of the Walmart on State Rd 64 East on Oct. 14. After Darlington saw deputies, he rammed the stolen car into a deputy's patrol car, then drove over a shopping cart corral and headed onto SR 64.

The sheriff's said its helicopter unit found Darlington as he drove off the road and crashed into a fence. He climbed out of the car and broke into an unoccupied house near 27th St E and 38th Ave E.

Deputies said they set up a perimeter around the house and told Darlington multiple times to surrender. He refused and deputies along with K9 Loki located him, armed with two large knives in the master bedroom.

Body cam video shows deputies and the K9 entering the bedroom and Darlington swinging the knives at K9 Loki, cutting him on his nose and face. Darlington was quickly apprehended and Loki, a 7-year-old Belgian Malinois was taken to an area Veterinary Hospital for treatment.

During the arrest, deputies said they discovered a trafficking quantity of suspected fentanyl on Darlington. They also found him to be in possession of stolen property taken from the residence. Prior to this incident, Christopher Darlington had two outstanding warrants for Contempt of Court. He is now charged with a list of other crimes:

Possession of Stolen Vehicle
Aggravated Battery on LEO
Felony Criminal Mischief
Armed Burglary
Aggravated Battery on Police Canine
Trafficking Fentanyl
Warrant for Contempt of Court for DUI
Warrant for Contempt of Court for DWLS

The sheriff's office said Loki received 12 stitches to his nose and head. He is expected to make a full recovery and be back to work in about two weeks. No other deputies were injured.