THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, February 1, 1997 TAG: 9702010289
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY CINDY CLAYTON, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: 56 lines
A suspect who was shot and killed by a police officer after killing the officer's police dog was wanted for murder and other crimes in Florida, police said Friday.
Police Chief Melvin C. High identified the suspect as Oren Harrison, 20. Harrison was wanted for armed first-degree murder, sexual battery, kidnapping and burglary by Miami's Metro/Dade County Police.
Harrison and another suspect were wanted for a home invasion robbery in the Oakmont North section while a 39-year-old woman and her 18-year-old daughter were home. Police also renewed their appeal to the public for information about the second suspect.
He was described as a black male, about 6 feet tall, in his late teens or early 20s, weighing about 120 pounds. He has a gold crown around his top front teeth and was last seen wearing a black leather jacket and black jeans. He should be considered armed and dangerous, police said.
``I am appealing to the community and to anyone who may know the wherabouts of the second suspect to come forward with information,'' High said at a press conference.
The officer and the dog had responded to the home invasion robbery about 12:10 a.m. Thursday after the 18-year-old daughter called 911. She and her mother had hidden in the house after the suspects forced their way in, police said. The women were not identified by police.
``The mother and daughter hid and were eventually found by the suspects,'' said Robert Hazelette, chief of detectives.
Harrison fired several times in the direction of the officer and his K-9 partner, Iron, killing the dog, High said.
After he was shot, Harrison continued running for about 200 yards before collapsing near a fence, police said. Harrison died at the scene.
A police spokesman said Harrison's gun was recovered from the scene.
The officer, who was not identified, has been placed on administrative duty until the department's Internal Affairs division completes its investigation.
Hazelette said that the quick thinking of the daughter to call the police probably saved the lives of the two women.
``I think due to the actions of our K-9 dog . . . the officer's life was saved as well,'' High said.
Police said that Iron, a 6-year-old Belgian malinois that had been on the force for three years, will be buried Tuesday with full police honors. MEMO: Anyone with information on the suspect at large is asked to call
Crime Line at 664-4040. ILLUSTRATION: Photos
Police Chief Melvin C. High asks the public to call with tips on
another suspect in the case
Robert Hazelette, chief of detectives, said the daughter's 911 call
was a lifesaver
KEYWORDS: MURDER