KSP: Deputy seriously injured in shooting at rural Kentucky home

WHITLEY CITY, Ky. (WAVE) - A deputy with the McCreary County Sheriff’s Office who was shot in the line of duty is in critical condition.

State police said Deputy Dustin Watkins and a constable were called to a home on Lick Creek Road outside Whitley City around 8 p.m. Tuesday to conduct a welfare check.

Mark Dungan faces numerous charges. (Source: Leslie County Detention Center)

When police arrived, they found 48-year-old Mark Dungan, of Science Hill, in a car outside the house.

When Watkins approached the car, police say Dungan opened fire, hitting Watkins at least once.

Dungan then took off in his car, KSP said. While trying to flee, Dungan hit the constable’s patrol car head-on then sped off again.

KSP responded and found Dungan in a nearby cemetery. Troopers were able to arrest him without any further trouble.

Watkins, who is 28 years old, was flown to University of Tennessee Medical Center in critical condition.

The constable was not injured.

Dungan is being held in the Leslie County Detention Center. He faces multiple charges including wanton endangerment, resisting arrest and possession of a handgun by a convicted felon.

KSP is investigating what happened.