A LaPorte County sheriff's deputy remains paralyzed after being shot by a wanted suspect he was trying to arrest in a Michigan City hospital emergency room. The suspect faces attempted murder charges after a struggle captured on surveillance video.
A deputy with the LaPorte County Sheriff's Office was shot and critically injured while attempting to detain a wanted suspect at a hospital in Michigan City, Indiana , early Friday morning.
The suspect, 22-year-old Sharod Grafton, faces an attempted murder charge in connection with the shooting. According to Indiana State Police, Deputy Jon Samuelson, a 12-year veteran of the sheriff's office, stopped to assist a disabled vehicle on State Road 2 near Westville around 6:45 a.m. The driver, identified as Grafton, requested transport to Franciscan Health Michigan City, which the deputy provided.
After dropping Grafton at the emergency room, Samuelson learned the man was wanted for an armed carjacking in Chicago involving his mother's vehicle. Samuelson returned to the hospital and located Grafton in a bathroom area, escorting him to the waiting room to place him under arrest. Court documents detail that as the deputy attempted to handcuff Grafton, the suspect resisted, pulled a handgun, and a struggle ensued.
Surveillance footage reviewed by investigators shows the two men tumbling into the triage area during the altercation. A nurse present during the incident told investigators that Grafton pointed the firearm directly at him, causing him to duck into a hallway for safety. From that vantage point, the nurse observed Samuelson maneuver Grafton's hand away from himself, but Grafton then fired a shot at point-blank range, striking the deputy. The nurse explicitly stated that Samuelson's actions saved his life.
After being shot, Grafton fled the hospital, temporarily hiding in the bed of a pickup truck in the parking lot before escaping into adjacent woods. He was apprehended shortly thereafter, and the alleged firearm was recovered from the truck where he had concealed it. Deputy Samuelson was airlifted to Memorial Hospital in South Bend with multiple gunshot wounds.
Court records indicate he was shot three times: once in the left shoulder, once in the right calf, and once behind the left ear, with the latter bullet piercing his neck and lodging in his spine. This injury has resulted in paralysis from the chest down. Medical staff have expressed optimism regarding his recovery. The LaPorte County Sheriff's Office provided an update on Wednesday, stating that since the initial report, Deputy Samuelson has made significant strides.
He is able to communicate with family, friends, and colleagues and remains in good spirits. The deputy serves as a member of the Highway Interdiction Unit, is the handler for K-9 Bosco, and is designated as a U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration Task Force Officer. He was reunited with his K-9 partner in the intensive care unit on Tuesday.
Prior to the hospital incident, investigators determined that Grafton had barricaded himself inside his mother's home in the early morning hours while her two daughters were inside. When his mother attempted to enter, Grafton pointed a gun at her and demanded her car keys. After obtaining the keys, he fled in her silver Chrysler 300, leading to the armed carjapping warrant.
Grafton was originally scheduled for a court appearance in LaPorte County on Thursday; however, the presiding judge recused herself from the case, and a new judge will be assigned. A new hearing date has not yet been set
Indiana Shooting Deputy Hospital Attempted Murder Laporte County Paralyzed Sharod Grafton Jon Samuelson
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
More than 300 motorcyclists raise funds for Indiana deputy wounded in hospital shootingHundreds of motorcyclists gathered Monday to raise funds for an Indiana deputy who was shot in the line of duty.
Read more »
Rio2C to Host Top-Level Meeting of Ibero-American Deputy Ministers of CultureRio2C 2026 will host on May 28 a top-level meeting of Ibero-American vice ministers of culture from 17 countries.
Read more »
Man who killed Morrow County deputy 1 year ago today sentencedA man who killed a Morrow County deputy and faced a possible death penalty was sentenced Tuesday to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Read more »
La Porte County Sheriff's deputy credited with saving nurse's life moments before being shotA La Porte County Sheriff's deputy shot at a northwest Indiana hospital was credited for saving a nurse's life before he was critically injured.
Read more »