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Suspect identified after being shot and killed after stabbing K-9 in Van Buren County

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A suspect was shot and killed after stabbing a K-9 multiple times in Gobles 7/27/21
Officer involved shooting leaves suspect dead in Van Buren Co.
Posted at 5:29 AM, Jul 27, 2021
and last updated 2021-07-27 05:42:30-04

GOBLES, Mich. — A 39-year-old man from Gobles is dead following an officer involved shooting.

Authorities tell us that a call came in around 7:30 p.m. Monday from a home in the area of State Street N. near Austin Street in Gobles for an assault.

Officials say they tried to make contact with the suspect and ended up sending in 5-year-old male Belgian Malinois K-9 Kuno.

We're told that Jacob Matthew Bender then stabbed Kuno, who was then rushed to VCA Veterinary Specialty & Emergency Center of Kalamazoo. The K-9 was stabbed three times and was in stable condition as of early Tuesday morning.

Bender then reportedly got into a fight with an officer, who ended up shooting and killing him.

Kuno is currently recovering with his handler after undergoing surgery to repair his wounds.

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K-9 Kuno

Police say the Bender had two warrants out for his arrest. One was for aggravated assault from a separate incident.

Neighbors tell FOX 17, police were at the residence at least once a month for disturbance calls.