A deputy sheriff from Tennessee was reportedly assaulted while being filmed for a live broadcast. The incident occurred during the Saturday airing of “On Patrol: Live,” a show co-hosted by Law&Crime founder Dan Abrams. Deputy Dalton Swanger of the Knox County Sheriff’s Office was responding to a reported shooting in a Knoxville neighborhood when the incident took place.
Swanger and his fellow deputies believed they had located the suspect, 44-year-old Christopher Hensley, in a nearby wooded area. Upon announcing their presence, Hensley allegedly began hurling rocks at the officers. The live broadcast captured the moment when Swanger entered the wooded area and subsequently fell to the ground.
The Knox County Sheriff’s Office later confirmed via a Facebook post that Swanger had been struck by a rock or brick thrown by Hensley. Another deputy, Matthew Kirchner, was also hit in the arm. The live broadcast showed Swanger being pulled out of the woods by his colleagues and helped to his feet.
Swanger’s condition reportedly worsened after the cameras were turned off. He was unresponsive when transported to the hospital and was listed in critical condition. An update from the sheriff’s office on Monday stated that Swanger was still in intensive care but had shown signs of improvement, including movement in all his limbs. By Tuesday, he was reported to be making “minor yet significant improvements.”
A GoFundMe page has been established by Blue Line Tennessee to assist with the financial strain on Swanger’s family as they support him during his recovery. Tom Rizzo, another co-host of “On Patrol: Live,” expressed his support for Swanger in a Facebook post, describing the tense moments in the studio as they watched the incident unfold.
Hensley was arrested several hours after the broadcast concluded. He has been charged with attempted second-degree murder, aggravated assault on a first responder, possession of a firearm with intent to go armed, and manufacturing/delivering/selling/possession of a controlled substance. His bond was set at $2,025,000 during a court appearance on Tuesday. Hensley’s next court date is scheduled for August 20.