Alabama Judge Was Shot in Face, Stabbed Multiple Times, and Son Is Suspect

Judge Johnny Hardwick.Photo:Jake Crandall/ Advertiser via Imagn Content Services

Jake Crandall/ Advertiser via Imagn Content Services

An Alabama judge was hospitalized after being shot and stabbed, and the victim’s son is the suspect.

Judge Johnny Hardwick was transported to the hospital in serious condition on Saturday, according toNBC News. Police allege that he had been in a dispute with his son, Khalfani Hardwick, 36, that turned violent, per the outlet.

Khalfani was arrested and charged with first-degree domestic violence and with certain persons forbidden to possess a pistol, per AL.com. Judge Hardwick remains in serious condition at the hospital as of Tuesday.

The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement to NBC News that officers responded to the judge’s home at around 1 p.m. due to reports of a domestic incident.

The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment. It’s not immediately clear if Khalfani has entered a plea or retained an attorney.

This isn’t the first time that Khalfani has had trouble with the law. He previously pleaded guilty to second-degree assault after shooting a family friend in the head in 2014, NBC News reported. According to AL.com, he received a 3-year suspended sentence with three years of probation for that crime.

Judge Hardwick has served as circuit judge since 2001, and in August, became the president of the Alabama Association of Circuit Court Judges, according to AL.com.

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“[Judge Hardwick] has honorably served our community on the Circuit Court for decades, helping spearhead numerous reforms to make the court system more equitable and fair,” Reed said. “Most recently, he worked to eliminate bond requirements for more non-violent offenses. Away from the bench he was a champion for the area’s youth, one of the founders of 100 Black Men of Greater Montgomery. We are praying for his recovery.”

source: people.com