SILVER SPRINGS, Fla. — The Marion County Sheriff's Office K-9 shot Saturday during a deadly shootout died Tuesday.

"Over the last few days, (K-9) Leo maintained that fighting spirit," the sheriff's office said in a Facebook post. "However, Leo’s injuries were too severe to overcome this morning, and his passing will be felt by all of us here in my office and in our community.

"...I would ask that in the coming days, weeks, and months, that you keep our K-9 team in your thoughts and prayers. They are going to need it."

The incident happened around 9 a.m. in Silver Springs, where the sheriff's office said deputies were responding to a situation involving a man accused of battery by strangulation.

The sheriff's office said when the man was located, he shot at deputies, and the K-9 responded to protect his handler and other deputies. The K-9 Leo was shot. 

Deputies returned fire at the man, who was later pronounced dead at a hospital.

He was identified Sunday as Jeremy Bradsher by the Marion County Sheriff's Office.