South Carolina man facing federal charge after killing police K-9

PROSPERITY, S.C. (WBTV) – A South Carolina man is facing a federal charge after he allegedly shot and killed a police K-9 over the summer.

Authorities had been attempting to serve a burglary warrant against 37-year-old James Robert Peterson in Newberry County on June 11, according to sister-station WIS.

WIS reported that when law enforcement arrived at Peterson’s mother’s home, the K-9 found him inside. He then was accused of shooting the dog and at authorities. Law enforcement fired back, hitting him.

The dog, a Belgian Malinois mix named “Coba,” died after being taken to an emergency veterinarian. He had been with the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) since 2021.

In June, Peterson was charged with cruelty to a police dog, breach of peace, possession of a weapon by a person convicted of certain crimes, resisting arrest with a deadly weapon and four counts of pointing and presenting a firearm at a person.

He is being tried for those crimes at the state level.

Now, six months after the shooting, SLED said Peterson has been federally indicted for being a felon in possession of a gun. He could face up to 15 years in prison on that charge if convicted.

Jail records show Peterson remains in custody as of Dec. 13.

Peterson’s mother, Scarlett Boyd, was also arrested and was charged with hindering law enforcement. According to WIS, she told authorities she had not seen her son when they arrived to serve the initial warrant.

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