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MICHIGAN CITY, Ind. - An Indiana sheriff's deputy was shot and a suspect was taken into custody Friday morning at Fransciscan Hospital in northwest Indiana.
Michigan City hospital shooting
What we know:
La Porte County Sheriff's Deputy John Samuelson was shot three times at Franciscan Health Michigan City after transporting a man to the hospital from a disabled vehicle call near State Road 2 and 900 West in LaPorte County, according to the LaPorte County Sheriff's Office and Indiana State Police.
Officials said Samuelson encountered the driver around 6:45 a.m. near Westville and brought the man to the hospital at the man’s request. While at the hospital, the deputy learned the man may have been connected to an earlier criminal incident.
Police said Samuelson went back inside the emergency room, where an altercation broke out between the deputy and the suspect. During the confrontation, the suspect pulled out a handgun and shot Samuelson.
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Indiana police officer shot in ER at Franciscan Hospital; suspect in custody
An Indiana police officer was shot and a suspect was taken into custody Friday morning at Fransciscan Hospital in northwest Indiana.
Samuelson, who has been with the sheriff's office for 12 years, was first taken from the hospital and later airlifted to Memorial Hospital in South Bend for emergency treatment. Authorities said he remains in critical condition.
Police said the suspect, identified as 22-year-old Sharod Grafton Jr., was arrested in the woods near the hospital after the shooting. While searching for Grafton, officers found a handgun that been used by the suspect, according to Indiana State Police.
The La Porte County Sheriff's Office called the shooting an "isolated incident" and said there is no immediate threat to the public. Indiana State Police are leading the investigation into the shooting.
Charges are pending against Grafton who is being held in the Porter County Jail.
What they're saying:
"It makes us feel angry," Indiana State Police Sgt. Glen Fifield said. "This is a senseless shooting, and it didn't have to take place. Our officers and deputies from La Porte County Sheriff's Department and all over the state of Indiana and Illinois risked their lives every day. This officer thought he was helping the stranded motorist, and, and it turns into this."
Franciscan Health released the following statement after the shooting:
"The health and safety of our patients and staff is always our top priority. There is no active threat to patients, staff or the community at this time. The emergency department remains on ambulance bypass, but walk-in patients are being accepted through the main entrance to the hospital. Franciscan Physician Network medical offices on site are closed at this time. All other services and departments remain open as normal."
Dig deeper:
Franciscan Health Michigan City is an acute care hospital with over 120 beds.
The Source: The information in this report came from Indiana State Police, the LaPorte County Sheriff's Office and the Michigan City Police Department.