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

Judge Johnny Hardwick's son, Khalfani Hardwick, is accused in the attack

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 to NBC News. Police allege that he had been in a dispute with his son, Khalfani Hardwick, 36, that turned violent, per the outlet.

In court documents obtained by AL.com and WSFA on Monday, police accused Khalfani of stabbing his father multiple times in the face and neck and also shooting him in the face before fleeing the scene.

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.

“Upon arrival, deputies learned that Judge Hardwick had been assaulted, shot and seriously injured by his son,” police alleged in a statement, per the outlet.

Authorities claimed that after Khalfani fled the scene, he was eventually located on U.S. Highway 231, where he was taken into custody. He is currently being held at the Montgomery County Detention Center without bond.

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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Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed said in a statement to the Montgomery Independent that he was saddened by the events.

“[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.”

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