Michigan City Hospital Shooting – LaPorte County deputy Jon Samuelson Shot, critically hurt at Franciscan Health Hospital in Michigan City

A deputy with the LaPorte County Sheriff’s Office remains in critical condition after being shot Friday morning inside Franciscan Health in Michigan City, according to authorities.

LaPorte County Sheriff Ron Heeg identified the injured deputy as Jon Samuelson, a 33-year-old veteran officer who has served with the department for 12 years.

According to the Indiana State Police, the incident began around 6:45 a.m. when Deputy Samuelson stopped to assist a disabled vehicle along State Road 2, roughly one mile east of Westville. Investigators said the driver, who was alone in the vehicle, requested transportation to Franciscan Health, and Samuelson agreed to take him there.

After arriving at the hospital, authorities said Deputy Samuelson learned the man was suspected of involvement in criminal activity reported overnight. Samuelson reportedly returned to speak with the individual inside the emergency department, where investigators say a physical altercation occurred before the suspect allegedly pulled out a handgun and shot the deputy three times.

The shooting reportedly took place inside the hospital’s emergency department area, though investigators have not yet confirmed the exact location within the building.

Following the shooting, the suspect fled the hospital and ran into nearby wooded areas. Responding officers quickly launched a search and later located and arrested the suspect without further incident.

Sheriff Heeg identified the suspect as Sharod Grafton Jr., 22, of Chicago. Authorities stated that Grafton was found carrying a handgun at the time of his arrest. He was initially transported to the LaPorte County Jail and is expected to be transferred to Porter County Jail while the investigation continues.

Officials have not yet disclosed the nature of the criminal activity Grafton was allegedly connected to prior to the shooting. Investigators also said many questions remain unanswered, including whether the suspect was searched or screened for weapons upon arriving at the hospital.

Deputy Jon Samuelson was transported to Memorial Hospital in South Bend, where he remains in critical condition while receiving treatment.

“This is a senseless shooting that didn’t need to take place,” Indiana State Police Sgt. Glen Fifield said during a media briefing. “This officer thought he was helping a stranded motorist, and it turns into this.”

Authorities noted that Samuelson comes from a longtime law enforcement family. Sheriff Heeg said his grandfather previously served as chief of the LaPorte Police Department, while his father retired from the Michigan City Police Department and currently works part-time as a security officer at the hospital where the shooting occurred. Officials said Samuelson’s father was inside the hospital at the time of the attack.

The deputy is also known within the department as a K-9 officer, though his police dog was not with him Friday morning.

Hospital officials confirmed there is no ongoing threat to staff, patients, or the surrounding community. While the emergency department remains on ambulance bypass status, walk-in patients are still being accepted through the hospital’s main entrance. Some physician network offices on the campus were temporarily closed, though other hospital operations continue as normal.

Investigators say the case remains in its preliminary stages, and additional updates are expected as authorities continue gathering evidence and interviewing witnesses.