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California police detail arrest of ‘career criminal’
Johnny Ray Llamas, a career criminal, was wanted for “weeks” for three outstanding felony warrants for sexual assault of a child under 14, robbery and violation of his probation. (Riverside County Sheriff/LOCAL NEWS X /TMX)
California police have released body camera video of the fatal shooting of a “career criminal” suspect who allegedly shot and killed a K-9 dog while on the run from deputies.
Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco said police had been searching for “weeks” for Johnny Ray Llamas, a career criminal, based on three outstanding felony warrants for sexual assault of a child under 14, robbery and violation of probation.
At approximately 4:45 p.m. on Friday, April 14, a 911 caller reported that two unknown individuals were running away from law enforcement over their property in Perris, California. The caller said they “carried a bottle” and appeared to be on drugs.
K-9 Rudy was shot and killed while assisting the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office in tracking down a wanted criminal. (Riverside County Sheriff/Facebook)
Riverside County Sheriff’s Department officers were involved in a fatal shooting involving a man wanted for three outstanding felony warrants. The suspect, Johnny Ray Llamas, shot and killed the K9 dog named Rudy. (Riverside County Sheriff/LOCAL NEWS X /TMX)
The caller reported hearing the male suspect, Llamas, allegedly tell the female suspect to stay there so the pursuing authorities would only arrest him, police said. Deputies responded to the scene, chasing llamas through residences, with a K-9 named Rudy.
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In the dramatic body camera footage, deputies can be heard saying shots were fired and the K-9 crashed.
Video released from a helicopter shows llamas trying to evade police on a roadway. CCTV footage shows a deputy sheriff yelling at the suspect to drop his weapon and lie down on the ground. The suspect refuses to get on the ground and instead heads towards homes, according to images.
“You see that gun moving, he gets it,” an officer can be heard in the video.
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“We’re going to see a crossfire,” another responds.
The suspect, Johnny Ray Llamas, is seen on the run from Riverside County Sheriff Department officers. Lama shot and killed the department’s K9 dog, Rudy. (Riverside County Sheriff/LOCAL NEWS X /TMX)
Finally, deputies fire on llamas as they fly overhead in the helicopter, after repeatedly telling him to “drop the gun” and “get on the ground.” The suspect was hit and was pronounced dead at the scene.
K-9 Rudy was transported to a veterinary hospital where he died of his injuries. The sheriff’s office said weeks before the incident, the trusty K9 and his handler Deputy Day took first place at the Las Vegas Metro Police K-9 Trials in the Handler Protection Category.
Earlier in April 2023, K-9 Rudy had placed first at the Las Vegas Metro Police K-9 Trials in the Handler Protection category. (Riverside County Sheriff/Facebook)
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A memorial service for Rudy was held on May 31. Police said no deputies were injured in the shooting and the female suspect was held for further questioning and arrested.
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten is a writer on Fox News Digital’s breaking news team. You can reach her on Twitter at @s_rumpfwhiteten.
