Clay County Sheriff's deputy shot in leg while serving warrant Friday morning, ISP says
A Clay County Sheriff's deputy was shot in the leg Friday morning while serving a warrant in the woods just south of Clay City, according to Indiana State Police.
The shooting occurred as three deputies served a felony warrant to a person in a tent in the woods near State Road 59 and County Road 1250 South in Clay County about 10 a.m., according to ISP Sgt. Matt Ames. As police were on scene, the suspect fired a gun from the tent at the deputies, striking one of them in the leg.
State police later identified the injured deputy as 17-year veteran Brison Swearingen.
Deputy Eric Oberholtzer returned fire as they fell back from the location. Swearingen was air-evacuated and other agencies, as well as a SWAT team, arrived on scene.
Police said the suspect, identified as 42-year-old Joe Hofmann, surrendered four and a half hours later. He was wanted out of Vigo County for escape charges, resisting law enforcement, six counts of theft, possession of a syringe and auto theft.
Law enforcement officials arrested and booked him into Clay County Jail.
Oberholtzer, an 11-year veteran of the force, has been placed on administrative leave — a standard policy as the investigation unfolds by Indiana State Police. Clay County prosecutors will review the investigation to determine any charges against Oberholtzer.
Contact Lawrence Andrea at 317-775-4313 or landrea@indystar.com. Follow him on Twitter @lawrencegandrea.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Clay County deputy shot while serving warrant Friday morning
