La Porte County deputy critically wounded in shooting at Michigan City hospital

Updated 8 minutes ago
MICHIGAN CITY, Ind. (WLS) -- A La Porte County Sheriff's deputy was critically wounded in a shooting at a hospital in Michigan City Friday morning, the sheriff's office said.

The shooting took place at Franciscan Health Michigan City in the 3500-block of Franciscan Way.



Authorities said Deputy John Samuelson was on his way to a training session at about 6:45 a.m. when he came across the suspect in a disabled vehicle.

The deputy then transported to suspect to the hospital at the suspect's request when the deputy discovered the suspect may have been involved in criminal activity.



After an altercation, police said the deputy was shot three times. The suspect then fled the scene and was later located in a wooded area and taken into custody.

critically

Deputy Samuelson was then transported to South Bend Memorial Hospital, where he was listed in critical condition.

La Porte County Sheriff Ron Heeg said Deputy Samuelson, 33, is a 12-year veteran. Sheriff Heeg said the deputy's father is a retired Michigan City police officer who worked security at the hospital and was on-duty at the time of the shooting.

"We are asking the community to keep everyone affected in their thoughts and prayers while we work through this situation," Sheriff Heeg said.



Authorities said the suspect is a 22-year-old man from Chicago

Franciscan Health released a statement saying, "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."

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