SC man convicted for shooting, killing K-9
(WSPA) – A South Carolina man was sentenced Monday after pleading guilty to multiple crimes including killing a K-9 officer.
According to the 8th Circuit Solicitor's Office, 38-year-old James Robert Peterson, of Newberry County, was sentenced to 33 years in prison for first-degree burglary, three counts of attempted murder, cruelty to a police dog and resisting arrest with a deadly weapon.
An investigation was initiated in May 2024 when Peterson broke into a residence in the Prosperity community while the homeowner was at work. The homeowner observed Peterson on a Ring camera positioned by the door of the home. The Newberry County Sheriff's Office was able to identify Peterson from his distinctive tattoos and previous experience dealing with the defendant.
On June 11, deputies received information that Peterson was at a residence on Gravel Lane in Prosperity. Due to prior knowledge of Peterson resisting arrest, investigators called in the State Law Enforcement Division K-9 Team to assist in serving the warrants. After multiple commands from law enforcement to Peterson to exit the residence, SLED K-9 Officer Coba made entry into the home.
K-9 Coba found the suspect inside the residence along with a deputy and SLED agents. Peterson had a shotgun in his left hand and shot K-9 Coba. The officers returned fire, injuring the suspect.
K-9 Coba was taken to an emergency veterinarian where he later died.
K-9 Coba joined SLED in 2021 and served on SLED's SWAT Team and SLED's K-9 Tracking Team during his career.
A judge sentenced Peterson to 28 years in prison on each of the burglary and attempted murder charges and 10 years in prison on the resisting arrest charge, with all those sentences to be served concurrently.
At the request of the State, Peterson was then sentenced to five years in prison on the cruelty to a police dog charge which is the current maximum sentence for that charge under SC law.
That sentence is also to be served consecutively.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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