MICHIGAN CITY, Ind. (WNDU) – A LaPorte County deputy was shot at a hospital after helping who he thought was a stranded motorist, Indiana State Police said.
The shooting happened Friday morning at Franciscan Health, a hospital in Michigan City. ISP identified the victim as Deputy Jon Samuelson, 33, a K9 handler with the LaPorte County Sheriff’s Office. The suspect, 22-year-old Sharod Grafton Jr. of Chicago, was arrested and booked at the Porter County Jail.
According to ISP, Samuelson was shot three times and is in critical condition at Memorial Hospital in South Bend.
ISP said Samuelson was driving to a work-related function around 6:45 a.m. CT when he pulled over at State Road 2 and County Road 900 West near Westville to help a stranded motorist, identified as Grafton, who asked the deputy for a ride to the hospital.
Once inside the hospital, police said Samuelson learned Grafton may have been involved in an earlier criminal incident that had happened in Illinois. ISP said an altercation ensued inside the emergency department, during which Grafton shot Samuelson.
According to ISP, Grafton ran out of the hospital, through the parking lot and went into a wooded area west of the hospital. Responding officers quickly found him and took him into custody. ISP said officers also found a handgun that they believe belonged to Grafton and was used to shoot Samuelson.
Sharod Grafton, Jr., 22, is accused of shooting a LaPorte County deputy three times while at Franciscan Health, a hospital in Michigan City.(Source: Porter County Sheriff’s Office)
The incident was originally deemed an active shooter situation. Police later said it was an isolated incident.
Police said Grafton was initially taken to the LaPorte County Jail but was later moved to the Porter County Jail where he will be held until charges are filed by the LaPorte County Prosecutor’s Office.
ISP said no other staff or visitors were injured during the incident, and Grafton was not injured.
Indiana State Police are leading the investigation. Police said there is no immediate threat to the public.
Jon Samuelson is pictured here with his K-9 Bosco in 2024. Samuelson noticed Bosco was having a heat stroke and took swift action to save his life. (WNDU)
Samuelson has been with the department for 12 years and is a K9 handler. His grandfather is a former chief of police for LaPorte and his father was an officer with the Michigan City Police Department who is now working security at the hospital where his son was shot.
LaPorte County Sheriff Ronald C. Heeg released a statement asking for community support.
“LaPorte County friends and neighbors, we are asking for our community to rise up, rally together, and lift Deputy Jon Samuelson and his family in prayer and support during this incredibly challenging time,” Heeg said. “Now more than ever, we need our residents across the county to stand together in strength, faith, and support for one of our own.”
The emergency department remains on ambulance bypass, but walk-in patients are being accepted through the main entrance to the hospital, Franciscan Health said. Franciscan Physician Network medical offices on site are closed. All other services and departments remain open as normal.
“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,” Franciscan Health said in a statement.
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