An Alabama judge’s son is the prime suspect after the judge was hospitalized for being shot and having multiple severe stab wounds.
Judge Johnny Hardwick was transported to the hospital in serious condition. Authorities claim that he had been in an argument with his son, Khalfani Hardwick, 36, that turned violent.
Authorities 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.
Judge Hardwick remains in serious condition at the hospital as of Tuesday.
The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement, “Officers responded to Judge Harwick’s home at around 1 p.m. due to reports of domestic violence. Upon arrival, deputies learned that Judge Hardwick had been assaulted, shot and seriously injured by his son.”
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.
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. 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.
Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed said in a statement to the MontgomeryIndependent 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.”
