HOWARD COUNTY — A 54-year-old man was arrested for stabbing and critically injuring another man in Kokomo on Saturday.
According to the Howard County Sheriff's Office, at approximately 5:13 a.m., deputies responded to a stabbing in the 600 South block of County Road 750 West. Upon arrival, deputies found 35-year-old Derek Wheeler from Kokomo with a serious abdominal laceration. He was first taken to Community Howard Hospital and then airlifted to a Fort Wayne hospital in critical condition.
Detectives identified the 54-year-old male suspect shortly after. The next day, a search warrant was executed at his residence on Branded Boulevard, leading to his arrest with the assistance of the Howard County Sheriff’s SWAT team.
On August 18, Howard County prosecutors charged the suspect, James Hampton with attempted murder and battery resulting in serious bodily injury.
No hearing date is listed yet in court documents.
The Howard County Sheriff’s Office is encouraging anyone with additional information to reach out to Detective Scott Waymire at scott.waymire@howardcountyin.gov or (765) 456-2020.
