In a hail of gunfire that shattered the evening quiet of a Waco neighborhood, a dedicated four-legged officer’s career was brought to a violent and premature end, leaving a community to grapple with the senseless act. K9 Andor, a stalwart member of the Waco Police Department, now faces an early retirement, his body wounded but his spirit a testament to the unwavering bravery of service animals. The German Shepherd, who bravely placed himself in the line of fire to protect his human partners, survived the encounter thanks to a protective ballistic vest, but the injuries he sustained were severe enough to permanently sideline him from the duties he was expertly trained to perform. His sacrifice on the evening of May 28th has resonated deeply, highlighting the profound bond between officers and their canine partners and the increasing dangers they face on the streets.

The incident unfolded when Waco police officers were dispatched to a civil disturbance. As they arrived, 18-year-old Darrin King allegedly unleashed a barrage of bullets in their direction. It was during this volatile confrontation that K9 Andor was struck. The weapon used was not a standard handgun; it had been illegally altered with a machine gun conversion device, a small, sinister piece of equipment often called a “Glock switch.” This modification transformed a semi-automatic pistol into a fully automatic machine gun, capable of firing dozens of rounds with a single pull of the trigger, dramatically escalating the threat to everyone present. The use of such a weapon underscores a perilous trend that has law enforcement agencies nationwide on high alert.

In the aftermath of the shooting, the Waco community has rallied around its wounded hero. K9 Andor was more than just a police tool; he was a familiar and friendly face at public safety events and school visits, a furry ambassador for the department. His sudden and violent removal from service has been met with both sorrow and gratitude. Waco Police Chief Sheryl Victorian praised Andor as a hero whose courageous actions undoubtedly protected human officers from serious harm or death. While there is relief that he survived, there is also a profound sense of loss that his distinguished career, marked by numerous successful drug interdictions and suspect apprehensions, was cut short by such a reckless act of violence. Local nonprofit organizations have reportedly initiated fundraising efforts to help cover the costs of Andor’s ongoing medical care and ensure his retirement is as comfortable as possible.

For Darrin King, the consequences of that evening are mounting. Already facing state-level charges, including two counts of aggravated assault on a public servant, he has now been indicted by a federal grand jury. The federal charge focuses specifically on the illicit weapon: possession of an unregistered firearm equipped with a machine gun conversion device. This charge falls under the purview of the National Firearms Act, a stringent federal law that strictly regulates such weapons. If convicted on this federal offense alone, King could face up to a decade in federal prison. He remains in custody at the McLennan County Jail, held on a combined bond that exceeds $2.5 million, a figure that reflects the gravity of his alleged crimes.

Federal prosecutors have made it clear they intend to pursue the case with vigor. The U.S. Attorney’s Office emphasized that attacks on any law enforcement officer, human or canine, will be met with the full force of the law. Their statements highlight the growing national concern over the proliferation of machine gun conversion devices, which are often 3D-printed or illegally imported and can be easily acquired. These devices pose an extreme and unacceptable risk to public safety. As King awaits his initial appearance in federal court, the investigation continues, with forensic analysis and further witness testimony potentially leading to additional charges. The case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers police officers and their K9 partners confront daily and the escalating firepower they may encounter in even seemingly routine calls.