Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
MENTONE - A Mentone man remains in critical condition at Parkview Hospital in Fort Wayne this morning after being shot by the Mentone town marshal after a domestic dispute call Wednesday night.
Mentone Town Marshal Jim Eads was responding to a report that a man was threatening a woman at 512 W. Jackson St. when he encountered Danny L. Hale, 51, of Mentone, driving a pickup about a block from the scene.
Eads tried to talk with Hale, who refused to obey orders to drop a shotgun. When Hale allegedly pointed the gun at the officer, Eads fired.
Hale was struck by more than one round, but Kosciusko County Sheriff Aaron Rovenstine would not describe Hale's wounds or say how many times he was shot.
Details regarding how many rounds were fired by Eads were not released. Hale's gun was taken as evidence at the scene.
According to normal procedure, the Mentone Town Council has place Eads on administrative leave while the incident is investigated by the Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department. The information gathered in the investigation will be forwarded to the Kosciusko County Prosecutor's Office for review sometime next week.
Hale had gone to the home of his ex-girlfriend's mother and threatened his ex-girlfriend, who had a restraining order against him.
According to witnesses, Hale had been drinking when he entered the house and brandished the shotgun. Hale allegedly threatened three adults and two children inside the house before leaving.
No charges have been filed at this time, but Hale is facing "a variety of charges," said Rovenstine. The possible charges include intimidation with a weapon, violation of a restraining order, threatening, criminal recklessness/pointing a weapon and alcohol related-offenses.
The incident remains under investigation by 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.
