Alabama judge shot in home; son arrested and charged, authorities say

MONTGOMERY, Ala. — An Alabama judge remained hospitalized after he was shot over the weekend, and his son is in custody, authorities said Monday.

Montgomery County Judge Johnny Hardwick, the presiding judge of the 15th Judicial Circuit, underwent surgery after the shooting Saturday.

Montgomery County Sheriff Derrick Cunningham told the news media that the judge was attacked, shot and seriously injured in his home on Saturday around 1 p.m. The sheriff said the judge’s son, Khalfani A. Hardwick, 36, fled the home and was later found on a highway and arrested without incident in connection with the attack.

“I just ask that we continue to pray for the judge,” Cunningham said, al.com reported.

The younger Hardwick is charged with first-degree domestic violence and possession of a firearm while prohibited. He is being held in the Montgomery County Jail without bond.

Jail records do not indicate whether he has an attorney who can speak on his behalf.

What led to the shooting is still unknown, but is still under investigation.

Johnny Hardwick, a circuit judge since 2001, is the current president of the Alabama Association of Circuit Court Judges.