Man Who Shot Officer, K-9 Pleads Guilty To Attempted Murder In Chicago: Authorities

CHICAGO — A man who shot a federal law enforcement officer and a K-9 during the execution of an arrest warrant has pleaded guilty to attempted murder, according to authorities.

Tarrion Johnson, 23, of Chicago, pleaded guilty July 20 to federal charges of attempted murder of an officer and using and discharging a firearm during a violent crime, namely, using a deadly and dangerous weapon and inflicting bodily injury, authorities said.

On June 2, 2022, members of the Great Lakes Regional Fugitive Task Force gathered at an apartment building in the 5200 block of West Belmont Avenue in Chicago to execute a warrant for Johnson’s arrest on state charges of attempted murder and attempted robbery, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office of the Northern District of Illinois.

After announcing themselves, the officers entered an apartment and encountered Johnson holding a gun, authorities said. He ignored commands to put the weapon down and instead shot a senior inspector U.S. marshal as well as the K-9, according to authorities, who said additional gunfire at a special deputy U.S. marshal struck a ballistic shield.

Johnson fled but was quickly taken into custody, authorities said.

The marshal who was shot was hit in the hand while the dog was struck in the upper body, WLS reported at the time, adding that a Chicago officer returned fire but did not hit anyone.

The K-9 required intensive care but was released from the veterinarian within days, the U.S. Marshals Service said at the time.

Johnson’s sentencing is set for Nov. 17, authorities said.