By Karla Ward and Mike Stunson
Lexington Herald-Leader
WHITLEY CITY, Ky. — A McCreary County sheriff’s deputy was shot while responding to a call about a domestic dispute Tuesday night.
The deputy and a McCreary County constable responded to the call on Lick Creek Road at about 8 p.m., said Kentucky State Police Trooper Lloyd Cochran.
When the deputy arrived, “he located the suspect outside the residence,” Cochran said. He said the suspect, 48-year-old Mark Dungan, pulled a gun and fired, hitting the deputy at least once.
The deputy was taken by helicopter to the University of Tennessee Medical Center, Cochran said. He was listed in critical condition, state police said.
After the shooting, Dungan fled in his vehicle and his vehicle struck the constable’s head on, police said. Cochran said the suspect was found a short time later at a nearby cemetery and taken into custody. No one else was injured, according to police.
Kentucky Going Blue, an organization supporting Kentucky’s law enforcement officers, identified the deputy who was shot as Tyler Watkins. They said early Wednesday morning he was out of surgery and stable.
Dungan, of Science Hill, is charged with wanton endangerment, resisting arrest and possession of a handgun by a convicted felon and has been placed in the Leslie County Detention Center.
Kentucky State Police are investigating.
Many area law enforcement agencies, including the Monticello Police Department, Nelson County Sheriff’s Office and Spencer County Sheriff’s Office took to Facebook to send their well wishes to the deputy who was shot.
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