La Porte County deputy shot at Michigan City hospital undergoes 8-hour surgery, suspect charged
22-year-old Sharod L. Grafton of Chicago allegedly shot Deputy Jon Samuelson in ER after being helped stranded along roadway
MICHIGAN CITY, Ind. (WLS) -- Officials provided a health update Saturday on an Indiana sheriff's deputy who was critically hurt in a hospital shooting Friday in Northwest Indiana as a suspect from Chicago is now facing charges.
The La Porte County Sheriff announced the update on behalf of the family of Deputy Jonathon Samuelson. The sheriff said Samuelson underwent about eight hours of surgery at a hospital in South Bend, which doctors described as successful. He is still in critical condition, but stable.
Indiana State Police say La Porte County Sheriff's Deputy Samuelson was trying to be a good Samaritan Friday morning when he stopped to help out a man he thought was in need, only later to be shot three times by that same man in a Michigan City hospital's emergency room.
A suspect, 22-year-old Sharod L. Grafton of Chicago, was taken into custody shortly after the shooting.
Grafton has been charged with attempted murder, battery against a public safety official, and auto theft, Indiana State Police announced Saturday.
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The shooting took place at Franciscan Health Michigan City in the 3500-block of Franciscan Way.
Authorities said Deputy Jon 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 on State Route 2.
"This officer thought he was helping a stranded motorist and it turns into this," Indiana State Police Sgt. Glen Fifield said.
The deputy then transported the suspect to the hospital at the suspect's request. When the deputy discovered the suspect may have been involved in previous criminal activity, the deputy returned to the hospital to speak with him.
"Deputy was informed of his criminal activity, and that the suspect was a suspect of that or involved in someway and went back to discuss it with him, and that's when this physical altercation took place and resulted in him being shot," Sgt. Fifield said.
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.
Deputy Samuelson was then airlifted to South Bend Memorial Hospital, where he was listed in critical condition Friday.
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.
The superintendent of South Central Community School Corporation in Union Mills, Indiana, is calling Deputy Samuelson a friend and supporter of the school district, who often held safety days and K-9 demonstrations for students.
In a statement, the school leader said "we stand in support of him, his family, and all members of the LaPorte County Sheriff's Office."
Authorities said the suspect is a 22-year-old man from Chicago.
The suspect remains at the Porter County jail after being transferred from the La Porte County jail. Charges are pending.
Investigators did not detail how the suspect was able to get inside the hospital in Michigan City with a gun, but did say the weapon used in the shooting was recovered.
Indiana State Police is leading the investigation, which continues.
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."
