A man accused of shooting a Troup County deputy was charged Tuesday with criminal attempted murder.
Matthew Edmonson was also charged with aggravated assault on a peace officer with a deadly weapon, possession of a firearm during a crime and false imprisonment after he allegedly shot Deputy Michael Hockett multiple times Monday, Troup County sheriff’s spokesman Sgt. Stewart Smith said.
Troup County officials said Hockett is doing well, but he is on standard administrative leave pending the conclusion of the investigation.
Edmonson remains at a Columbus-area hospital receiving treatment, Smith said. He is in stable condition.
According to Troup County Sheriff James Woodruff, Hockett went to Edmonson’s home to check in on him after his father said his son had a psychotic episode.
“When the deputy arrived, he exited his vehicle to go around a fence toward the house and heard what he described as a banging sound,” Smith told Channel 2 Action News.
When Hockett went to investigate, Edmonson allegedly fired shots at him.
“The deputy then retreated, at which time the individual got into a truck and began driving toward the deputy,” Smith said. The suspect then got out of the car, fired shots at the deputy and the two exchanged gunfire, Smith said.
Hockett was struck in the forehead, elbow and waist, Channel 2 reported. He was taken to West Georgia Medical Center and later released.
Edmonson barricaded himself inside his home for about six hours but was eventually taken into custody without incident.
The incident took Josh Pittman by surprise. He is friends with Edmonson and Hockett.
“I never in my wildest dreams would’ve thought this,” Pittman told Channel 2. “It’s really troubling and I’m definitely praying for both of them.”
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