A La Porte County Sheriff’s deputy was critically injured in a shooting at Franciscan Health Michigan City Friday morning, authorities confirmed. The incident occurred in the 3500 block of Franciscan Way.
Deputy John Samuelson, 33, a 12-year veteran of the sheriff’s office, was on his way to a training session around 6:45 a.m. when he encountered a suspect in a disabled vehicle. At the suspect’s request, Deputy Samuelson transported him to the hospital, during which he discovered the individual may have been involved in criminal activity.
An altercation ensued at the hospital, during which the deputy was shot three times. The suspect, a 22-year-old man from Chicago, fled the scene but was later apprehended in a nearby wooded area.
Deputy Samuelson was transported to South Bend Memorial Hospital, where he remains in critical condition. La Porte County Sheriff Ron Heeg described the deputy as a dedicated officer and noted that Samuelson’s father, a retired Michigan City police officer, was on duty at the hospital at the time. “We are asking the community to keep everyone affected in their thoughts and prayers while we work through this situation,” Sheriff Heeg said.
Franciscan Health Michigan City released a statement assuring the public that the hospital is safe: “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.”
All other hospital services remain open, although on-site medical offices are temporarily closed. Authorities continue to investigate the incident and the circumstances leading to the shooting.