Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
MENTONE -ÊA Mentone man is in critical condition at Parkview Hospital, Fort Wayne, after being shot by the Mentone town marshal during a disturbance Wednesday night.
Mentone Town Marshal Jim Eads was responding to a domestic violence call at 512 W. Jackson St. when he encountered Danny L. Hale, 51, of Mentone, sitting in a pickup at the scene.
Eads tried to talk with Hale, but Hale refused to respond to orders. Hale got out of the truck with a shotgun and refused to put it down.
Hale then pointed the shotgun at Eads and Eads fired at Hale.
The investigation is continuing and witnesses are being interviewed, but at this time police do not believe Hale fired his weapon.
Hale was struck by more than one round, but details regarding how many rounds were fired by Eads were not released. Hale's gun was taken as evidence at the scene.
Police said alcohol was involved and witnesses told police Hale was brandishing the shotgun inside the house, threatening the two children and three adults inside.
A woman in the house, identified as a former girlfriend, had a restraining order against Hale.
After the shooting, Mentone Deputy Marshall Frank Banghart arrived at the scene and assisted Eads in administering first aid to Hale until Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department officers and emergency medical personnel arrived at the scene.
Hale was transported to Kosciusko Community Hospital and then taken to Parkview Hospital in Fort Wayne by ambulance, where he was listed in critical condition this morning. Because of unsafe weather conditions, the Samaritan Air Ambulance was unable to fly.
No officers were injured in the incident.
The incident remains under investigation. The Indiana State Police and the Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department. The LaPorte County Sheriff's Department is assisting with "critical incident debriefing" of the Town Marshal.
