A police pursuit ended with a tragic loss that nobody on scene could undo. K9 Maya was badly injured while helping officers confront an [music] armed suspect. And the final moments of this encounter are heartbreaking to watch. >> HEY, STOP. STOP. K9. STOP. He's underneath an awning. Dog was on. He's still running. Starite has a visual. He's proned out. >> Hey guys, on February 17th, 2022, officers in Utah began searching for 25-year-old Zachary after a woman reported that she had allegedly threatened her with a firearm. Investigators were also looking into reports of unwanted contact and following behavior involving the woman. As officers worked to locate Zachary, they gathered information about his vehicle, his movements, and the possible danger he posed. The search eventually led officers into a pursuit where the stakes became much higher. Well, let's see how a report involving an alleged armed threat led to a massive police response and a tragic confrontation. >> Florencia. Okay. Can you kind of tell me what happened? Um, last week on Thursday, my friend Zach, I told him I didn't want to continue the friendship because he was trying to take it in a romantic way and he said he was going to kill himself. So then that's when I reached out to all of his family. So I had my boys in the car. I left when I befriended his family, told him that he's going to try to kill himself and everything. And so I was able to talk him down and all week I've been just kind of slowly making sure he was okay. And then today when it seemed safe, I told him again, hey, let's go back to that conversation where I don't want to continue a friendship with you because it's not what I want to do. And then he just freaked out and I stopped answering phone calls. So he showed up at my place and that's when he flashed his gun at me. And when I had to come get him, he got into the vehicle and then I was trying to get him out. Him. Zack. Zack. I was trying to get him out. He came out on his own. And then when I went in to start the truck is when he showed the gun at me and flashed it at me. I went to take a picture and that's when he threw my phone across the park for a lot. And then he finally was able he let me get in the car. I came to get my son from school and he followed me the whole way until I lost him right there. >> Um does does he live here in West Jordan? Yes, he lives um maybe like five minute 5 10 minutes from here and maybe 5 minutes away from my apartment. >> All right. Was your son in the car when he flashed the gun at you? >> No, that was before I had picked him up from school. >> Hey, sorry. Do you want us to box the man? He's not really going that fast at all. He's just driving the speed limit. Um, were you guys ever um in a romantic relationship? Were you guys ever had like intimate uh were you guys ever like sexually uh consensual sex? >> No. >> No. >> Have you guys ever lived together? >> No. >> Are you okay? >> I'm okay now. I just wanted to get to my boy. >> So, now that I have him and know Zach's not with near us, I feel better. I just didn't know what to do. And I also didn't want to get him in trouble cuz he's a good person. I just didn't expect him to flash a gun at me. >> Is pit authorized? [ __ ] Pit him. >> 53. Will you notify Taylor'sville? We're coming around their area. We're approaching 63 South Center Park. Speeds are 41 mph. No cars. >> When he jumped into your truck, did he jump into the passenger side? >> He jumped into the back and then jumped into the front. If investigators find Zach intentionally displayed a firearm in a threatening way, charges could follow under Utah law. His alleged following behavior may also support stalking charges if the legal ailments are proven. Observation must consider department policy, traffic, speed, and the level of danger before using a P maneuver. At this stage, these remained allegations under [music] investigation. >> And then and then I was outside of the vehicle. And then when he got out, what door did he use when he jumped in? behind the driver's seat. >> Yeah. And then he went through the middle to get on the Okay. And so when did you get out of the truck? Um when he got in? >> I was Yeah, I was out of the truck when he got in. He's like, "I'm going with you." So I got out as he opened the back door to get in. So we weren't in at the same time at any point. >> Okay. So when he got out, you tried to get back into the vehicle and drive away. >> Yeah. And I And how did he stop the door from closing? >> So I get in and I go to close it and that's when he puts it in. And so he's standing a little bit closer like right there. >> Mhm. Okay, I have to get I have to go. And that's when he looks down. He's like, I'm not kidding. We're going to have a conversation. And he looks down at it. And that's when I look down and see that there. >> Hi. You want a sticker? >> We can't ring you out yet. >> Um, when he grabbed the door, what was he saying? Like this whole entire conversation when he jumped in and you Well, when you were out and he jumped in, he was saying anything. >> He was just saying, "We need to have a conversation. We need to talk about this. I don't accept that you you don't want to continue my fridge. And then the entire time I was like, I have to get Cole. I have to get my son. >> Where was his finger at when um on >> It was on It was on the side. So it was Okay, I got >> And then I I I leaned over to grab my phone and take a picture and that's when he chucked it across. Is your phone still over there? >> It was right here. >> And that's when I grabbed my keys and I want to take home. >> Yeah. And I want him to take off. How much did you pay for this phone? I'm not sure. My son had just gotten it for me cuz you're married plus. >> Yeah. And he wanted to try and get into a romantic relationship with you. >> And he knew I was married so he just did. He's like, "I don't believe that you're happy. I don't believe that." And so was to I grabbed my keys. So I didn't want him to take off the truck. I ran over to get my phone and that's when he went to his car. I was able then to run to my truck and go get it. How did he throw your phone? Did it? Was it through the window? Was it behind him? No, it was through this way. They took a step back and chopped it. It made me p like that young line right there. I picked it up, but it still wasn't broken at that point. And so I went to snap another picture of him and then I threw it to my wife. >> I can understand why the officers were asking very specific questions about the doors, where everyone was standing and where his finger was. You know, those small details can matter when investigators are trying to find out exactly how the firearm was displayed. And at this [music] point, this was no longer just an unwanted romantic conversation. >> And then that's when I just ran here, grabbed my keys, and then when I was I fell to my knees and was crying a little bit. And at that time, Zony went to his vehicle when I came back here. >> The vehicle still continuing westbound on 6200 South, passing 4800 West. Well, let's not have gunmark follow. We know who he is. Uh we'll figure out the details. He did point a gun at her and a gun was seen. Bro 53. What's his home address? Where does he where is he going? >> 53. He'll probably just need north and south of the residence and behind the residence cover. He just like driving. >> Yeah, he was following his girlfriend and uh decided to point the gun at apparently driving. >> Oh yeah. Freaking 40 mph. The only thing he did wrong was basically he had a green light too when he got to center park at 62. Yeah. >> He even slowed down for traffic. >> Hi, is this Alex? This is >> Hi, this is Officer Kerine with West Jordan Police. So, can you tell me um what happened on your side of things? >> Yeah. So, immediately after getting a hold of my wife, went back through the apartment cuz I I had a feeling he was going to be there. He was. He was following my wife. He he recognized the truck was following my wife. I was following him. My wife saw an officer on the at a stoplight on 48 in New Bingham. She had flipped, did a U-turn to grab the officer's attention. He had sped off. I had stayed with the car. I didn't want him to get lost again. Um, the officer was following me at that point when my wife told him what was going on. >> Zach and Florentia were former co-workers who became close friends. After Florentia pulled away, Zach allegedly made self harm threats and sent her $35,000, which she returned. He later allegedly followed her truck to her home and threatened her with a gun. Police surrounded his house, but Zach had already left and continued staying ahead of them. >> I had got in front of his car, trying to slow him down. When I tried to pin him, he pointed a gun at me. He was, you know, driver window to passenger window with me. He pointed a gun at me at that point. And then veered off, right? And at that point, there was multiple officers on scene. >> I don't know. They're in a bad spot. If you ask me, cuz he's got we don't have any windows on our side. >> He's got to come out. Always wonder what neighbors think when they see this. >> I would be happy. >> Be like, "Oh, >> I don't like my rent decreased by $200." >> Would you be able to meet up with me and um do a statement on this? >> Yes. Uh where would you like to meet? Oh, where are you at? >> I don't know if I'm getting out. Is it going out? Two. >> All right. It looks like he's heading towards the exit he came in. He's uh eastbound right now at the stop. He's got his blinker on to go out the same way. Okay. He's headed out the exit that he came in out to 104. Make sure there's no one there. There he saw. He saw short of the spikes. Backing up. Relax. Just relax. Good spike. Uh, eastbound 10400 south. Good spike eastbound 104. Zach never returned home, so police ended the containment. Detectives later called him and spoke with him for over an hour about his emotional distress and thoughts of [music] self harm. He said he might stay at a hotel. His family said he feared prison and believed his career was over. Detectives later located him at a gas station before he drove away. >> He did try to run over. No, he didn't. Southbound River Heights Drive. Southbound River Drive. He was just trying to do it around the All right. Hey, Star N. We'll call it. Continue to call. Everybody calm down. River Heights Drive southbound. go southbound river height. You guys can um back up a little bit if you want. We've got a good eye. All right. You got debris coming off the car. Officer 2500 west 2200 west still eastbound. 114. Got more units coming in from the north. The helicopter had better directions than most people have on their phones. But underneath all the radio chatter, this was still a serious pursuit involving someone officers believed had already threatened people with a firearm. Well, nobody could afford to make one bad decision. Smoking really good now. I can see up here. A simple hit here would be uh really easy. Yeah, you spin right out. All right, coming up to a red light. Uh, red ball at Redwood. Stopping short out on foot. Star9 has the eye. Got hit. HEY, STOP. STOP. K9. K9. STOP. THERE'S A GUN. >> GUN. Gun in right hand. Gun in right hand. Right hand. >> He's underneath an awning. Dog was on him. HE'S STILL RUNNING. Starite has a visual. He's proned out. You just got four shots fired. Shot fire. SHOTS FIRED. K9 is hit. K9 is hit. >> Hey, slow fire here. >> Hey. Hey. Come on. I got you. I SEE YOUR HANDS. >> LET ME SEE YOUR HANDS. [screaming] LET ME SEE YOUR HANDS. >> STAY WHERE YOU ARE. STAY BACK AND GET COVER. Do not run up on him. Tactical man. Everyone stay back. I want one person giving command. >> Move over to the vehicle. Move to the vehicle. >> Move the cover. Move the covers. Move the cover. >> Got an LZ nearby that you can see without goggles. >> EVERYONE ELSE BACK OFF. I WANT FOUR PEOPLE IN THE TRUCK. EVERYONE ELSE BACK OFF. ZACHARY, SHOW ME YOUR HANDS. >> GET A shield up. >> Yeah. I need you to show me your hands. >> Empty hands. >> In her leg here, we can >> girl. [screaming] Hey, >> that's a good shot. Let's get her. >> Yeah, >> she's going to leave the door. >> Oh, yeah. [screaming] Definitely. Everybody approaching the left is moving. >> N Star 9, the suspect is still moving. Movement right leg. >> Once officers reported seeing a firearm in Zach's hand, the safety risks became extremely serious. While officers may use force when they reasonably believe there is an immediate threat of death or serious injury, the legality of a shooting depends on the facts at the moment, including Zach's movements, the weapons, [music] commands, and shots fired. The K9 injury would also be investigated. >> Here, pup. >> I got you. >> Yeah. You got any car? >> Okay. Okay. I got you. I got you. >> 182. Get a hold of them. No one else see >> shield in this back seat. >> Shield on the back seat. >> West K9. Let's >> get you guys back. >> Good. >> Yeah. >> You're good. on the ground. You got to the car. Trying to see if I can get an eyeball on that gun to help him out. She's breathing. >> I can still feel a heartbeat. So any >> 72 left? >> It's just east of the freeway. on the Oh, that's right. >> We have southbound traffic stop. >> After an officer involved shooting, officers must secure the scene, locate any firearm, protect others, and arrange medical care for anyone injured. Preserving evidence, including the firearm, shell casings, and positions, [music] helps investigators understand what happened. Finding the gun was especially important because it could still pose a safety [music] risk. Now, the shooting's legality depends on the evidence and circumstances. Number three. Hold traffic. Gun in right hand. Gun in right hand. Stay behind cover. Got holding on top. Nine. Did you copy? We saw him pull the gun out. It's in his right hand. >> Even after being immobilized with no other route of escape, Zach wasn't ready to surrender and was about to provoke the officers. He had shot K9 Maya in the abdomen, but she was still breathing. Every passing second was critical, though, as she was losing a lot of blood. >> Come on, girl. I got you on. Yeah, I can't can't quite see where. So, I'm just holding pressure for that. He's going to self again up to his mouth. gun is still in his right hand. He's manipulating it. Okay. >> Yes. >> Yeah. It looks like in the gut I could see some stuff. Uh >> you could hear the tension in every command because the weapon was reportedly still in his hand. Even after being surrounded with no way to escape, Zach still wasn't ready to surrender and appeared to be provoking the officers. He had reportedly shot K9 Maya in the abdomen, but she was still alive and breathing. Every second mattered because she was losing a lot of blood. >> Where? Come on, girl. >> Hi, Dr. McLean. >> Wait. you want to write that >> you guys want to call her off too or >> uh it's up to you. >> Okay, I'll just pull it off. >> How old is she? >> She's six six and a half about seven. >> Um she has some of the belly fat. So do did you see it happen? Was >> it was kind of downward. >> Okay. >> As he's running. So kind of I think just she was looking up and it just went through. >> Okay. >> Do you know what uh type of gun it was? >> I [snorts] don't know. Just hand handgun is all I know. >> Yeah. >> Make sure we got cover up there. You only need two people on cover. OH. MORE SHOTS FIRED. >> Got K9 moving up from the north. This morning, police held a funeral and procession for their K9 officer, Maya. >> Yeah. ABC4's Curtis Booker spoke to officer the officers outside of the Jordan School District where the procession ended. while over a dozen of those law enforcement vehicles along with hundreds from the community [music] lining up along Redwood Road during the procession route. >> There's an incredible bond that develops between a police officer and a police service dog. >> For many, dogs are like family. The same could be said for the six-year-old award-winning Belgian Melaninois. We're told by West Jordan police Maya was known throughout the state for her ability to track. After Zach sought K9 Maya, officers fired multiple rounds, forcing him down. When he later tried to pick up the gun again, officers [music] fired additional rounds, ultimately killing him. Sadly, K9 Maya also died from her injuries while protecting the officers. This breaks my heart, man. Poor Maya. I'm so upset that she lost her life doing her job. Maya was also known as a social dog who was very well embraced by not only the West Jordan Police Department, but other surrounding community police departments such as Idaho and Wyoming have expressed their condolences and even attended the services in person today to pay their respects to Maya. And of course, an outpouring of support from the community. The only comfort they really have is to know that Maya died doing what she was trained and sworn and destined to do. Protect our community and protect the officers who serve our community. Police dogs are trained to track people, search areas, and protect officers when authorized. Their work can be dangerous, especially during encounters with armed [music] suspects. Well, thank you, K9 Maya, for protecting your community and showing such incredible loyalty and bravery. [music] You'll never be forgotten and you will be deeply missed. Zachary didn't face any criminal charges because he was killed during the officer involved shooting. The district attorney later determined that the eight officers involved were legally justified in using deadly force based on the evidence from the investigation. This incident shows how quickly a dangerous encounter can reach a point where officers believe deadly force is needed. Investigators looked at the reported firearm Zachary's [music] actions, witness accounts, video, and other evidence when reviewing the shooting. The investigation also found that K9 Maya was killed while assisting officers during the encounter. The simple lesson is that threats, weapons, and [music] refusing to surrender can have life-changing consequences. K9 Maya gave her life in protecting [music] the officers and the community. Now, take a moment to remember her in the comments. And if you found this body cam story informative, hit like, subscribe, [music] and turn on notifications. And click on the other shocking body cam videos on your screen for more.