Hemet suspect remains barricaded after fatally shooting police K9

HEMET, Calif. -- A San Jacinto Police Department K9 was shot and killed by a suspect, who remains barricaded inside a Hemet home.

Residents near San Jacinto Street and Clark Drive were advised to stay inside. The incident began around 2:30 p.m. after police responded to a call of service.

Deputy Albert Martinez of the Riverside County Sheriff's Department said San Jacinto police K9 Sultan was used to try and extract the suspect, who may have been hiding underneath the residence.

Sultan returned covered in blood. He later died at a local animal hospital.

"He's part of the family, he's part of us. He's been in service since the year 2013 so it is a hard thing for us. Our main concern now though is we do want to find that suspect," Martinez said.

Sultan, a Belgian Malinois and German Shepherd mix, was trained to locate hidden articles of evidence and to apprehend dangerous suspects, according to the San Jacinto city website.

The suspect is a wanted felon, who should be considered armed and dangerous.

DEVELOPING: We will add more details to this report as soon as they become available.