Alabama Judge Shot by Son, Critically Injured

On Sunday, newswires erupted of an Alabama judge who had been shot.

As details emerged, the judge was identified as Johnny Hardwick, presiding judge of Montgomery County’s 15th Judicial Circuit.

Hardwick was reportedly shot by his son, Khalfani A. Hardwick, following a domestic dispute.

Shooting Dad

Local police announced the attack on Sunday.

The report stated, “At approximately, 1:00 p.m., the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office responded to Judge Johnny Hardwick’s residence in reference to a domestic incident.

“Upon arrival, deputies learned that Judge Hardwick had been assaulted, shot, and seriously injured by his son.”

After the shooting, the son reportedly fled the scene in a car, then abandoned the vehicle.

Police located him on U.S. Highway 231, which is where he was taken into custody.

Hardwick has since been charged with first-degree domestic violence and with certain persons forbidden to possess a pistol.

Montgomery County Assistant Chief Wesley Richerson stated, “I think that’s credit to the men and women of the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office.

“Sheriff Cunningham assures there’s a number of patrol units always patrolling Montgomery County.

“And by their nature in their professionalism, they responded accordingly exactly how they trained to do and was a great result in a very short amount of time apprehending the suspect and ensuring that there was no danger to anyone else in the public.”

This is not Hardwick’s first run-in with the law, having previously pleaded guilty to second-degree assault for shooting a family friend in 2014.

He did not serve any prison time for the shooting.

Judge Hardwick has been on the bench since 2001, first serving in the local circuit court, then eventually being elevated through local, state, and federal courts until he was given this appointment.

In August, Judge Hardwick was named the Alabama Association of Circuit Court Judges.