Deputy Attacked During Live Broadcast in Knoxville; Suspect Arrested
Knoxville, TN — A Knox County sheriff’s deputy is in critical condition following a violent encounter with a suspect during a live-streamed episode of On Patrol: Live on Saturday. Deputy Dalton Swanger, while participating in the show, was attacked by 44-year-old Christopher Hensley in a wooded area behind a home in Knoxville.
Incident Details
Deputies were responding to reports of a shooting in the neighborhood when they began searching for Hensley. As officers called out into the woods, Hensley allegedly responded with hostile language, prompting Deputy Swanger to enter the thicket with his weapon drawn, believing Hensley might be armed.
Video footage from the broadcast captured the moment when Deputy Swanger was knocked to the ground, appearing incapacitated after allegedly being struck in the face with a brick or a rock.
Tom Rizzo, co-host of the show, remarked, “The entire studio went silent as we watched what happened next. His mates dragging him to safety… as Dalton tried to regain his feet, saying, ‘I’m going to be heavy.’”
Medical Condition and Recovery
Following the assault, fellow deputies swiftly pulled Swanger from the woods and transported him to Tennessee Medical Center, where he was placed in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Reports indicate that while Swanger initially attempted to downplay his injuries, he collapsed shortly after the cameras stopped rolling and became unresponsive.
According to updates from the Knox County Sheriff’s Office, Swanger has begun to show signs of improvement. He has regained some motor function, being able to move all four limbs, but remains under close medical observation.
At this time, Deputy Swanger’s current age is not disclosed.
Charges Against the Suspect
Christopher Hensley was taken into custody following the assault and faces multiple charges, including:
- Attempted second-degree murder
- Aggravated assault on a first responder
- Possession of a firearm with intent to go armed
- Manufacturing/delivering/selling/possession of a controlled substance
Community Support
In a show of solidarity, a GoFundMe campaign has been established for Deputy Swanger, which has already raised over $65,000 to support him and his family during this trying time.
Further updates will be provided as they become available, particularly regarding Deputy Swanger’s recovery and the legal proceedings against the suspect.
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