At 10:15 p.m. on Saturday night in Knox County, Tennessee, a 911 call was made reporting gunfire on Stanley Road.

Upon arrival, deputies were directed by a woman who said her “crazy ex” was on the premises. She indicated that he was hiding in a nearby wooded area. As officers announced themselves by shouting “Sheriff’s Office,” a voice from the woods responded with curses, followed by a barrage of rocks.

The dense woods provided the suspect with effective cover, and he claimed to be armed with a gun.

Deputy Swanger struggled to gain a visual on the suspect. He ordered the individual to “show me your hands,” but as he moved into the underbrush, he was suddenly bombarded by rocks, one hitting him squarely on the head, causing him to collapse.

Fellow deputies quickly reached Swanger, who was unconscious, and pulled him out of the wooded area. He had a visible bloody wound on his head and was unsteady once on his feet.

Deputy Swanger was taken to the University of Tennessee Medical Center’s ICU. There, he was placed on a ventilator and remains in a coma.

The suspect, 44-year-old Christopher Michael Hensley, is caught and charged.

Joining Nancy Grace today:

Additional Guests

• Deputy Dalton Swanger – Knox County Sheriff’s Office (suffered serious injury to his head after suspect hit him with a rock
• Stephania Pumphrey – Girlfriend of Deputy Swanger
• Deputy Matthew Kirchner – Former partner of Deputy Dalton Swanger

“Crime Stories with Nancy Grace” on Fox Nation is also a national radio show on SiriusXM channel 111, airing for two hours daily starting at 12 p.m. EST. You can also subscribe and download the daily podcasts at iHeart Podcasts.

[Feature Photo: Deputy Dalton Swanger/Knox County Sheriff’s Office]