A 29-year-old Emporia man is in critical condition this morning at a Wichita hospital after being shot last night at his mother’s home at 2507 Lincoln St.
Dwight Lee Swafford, 55, who also lives at 2507 Lincoln St., was booked into Lyon County Jail at 11:28 p.m. Wednesday on suspicion of attempted second-degree murder. Formal charges will come from the Lyon County attorney’s office.
Emporia police detectives continue to investigate the case, which was originally reported to 911 dispatchers as a domestic disturbance with a shot fired, according to Police Chief Gary Smith.
William Michael Calvert was taken to Newman hospital from the scene with a gunshot wound. He later was taken by air ambulance to Via Christi hospital in Wichita. A hospital spokeswoman said this morning that he was in critical condition.
The call to the residence of Denise Calvert came at 8:45 p.m. Wednesday, Smith said.
Five officers from the Emporia Police Department as well as supervisors responded to the call. Later, Detectives Dennis Delmott and Lisa Sage arrived, said Smith, who also reported to the scene.
All three people were at the house when officers arrived.
Also at the scene were two Kansas Bureau of Investigation agents and rescue workers.
“(Mr. Calvert) was lucky,” Smith said. “An off-duty paramedic on his bicycle saw the response and took action until rescue officers got there.”
Comments
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Posted by steakbuffet (anonymous) on July 10, 2008 at 5:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Detective Delmott arrested the escaped convict at 2:40. Later in the evening he had to work this case. I hope they didn't expect him to be a storm spotter too at 4:30. Thanks again and keep up the good work. Perhaps he should be considered for "Employee of the Year"...if the city could afford such recognition.
Posted by kansasgirl (anonymous) on July 10, 2008 at 6:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)
steakbuffet, you were doing so well and then you had to go and make a rude comment. Emporia should be proud and feel safer knowing you have a detective that seems to take his job seriously and does it very well. To continue to belittle the city does nobody any good. Did anyone pay attention to the fact that only 9 people showed up for the budget meeting with the city commission? Where were all the people who had issues with the 2008 budget? Everyone complains but to actually become involved or at least attempt to actually see and hear what the city commissioners are planning for the upcoming year, the citizens of Emporia had better things to do. There's a commentary for you. Detective Delmott deserves some thanks and appreciation for the job he performs from the citizens of Emporia. Thank you Detective Delmott.
Posted by steakbuffet (anonymous) on July 10, 2008 at 7:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Kansasgirl,
I do not know you and vice versa. I meant that last comment in the nicest way. I was raised "if you have something nice to say, fine-otherwise keep your opinion to yourself." I have commented on this website less than ten times in the entire time the paper has had this feature, all good comments I might add. Belittling someone because you can be anonymous is quite childish. I won't even step that low, I have very high standards. Since you brought up the budget meeting...some of us were there or saw it on Channel 8. I hope you were able to be a part of the meeting.
Back to Dennis Delmott, our "man of the hour," I sincerely think Employee of the Quarter, Year, would be really nice. We have many, many good people in our community to be proud of... next time you see them, thank them. To operate a city takes a lot of money, this wouldn't take a lot of fanfare, time or money. Steakbuffet
Posted by jayhawker (anonymous) on July 10, 2008 at 7:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Detective Delmott enjoys a very good reputation and deserves our thanks for a job well done. We need more like him.
Posted by kansasgirl (anonymous) on July 10, 2008 at 9:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)
steakbuffet, I apologize if I misunderstood your last comment. It just seems lately there has been so much bad mouthing of the city of Emporia and the commissioners. I understand that there are tough times going on. Everyone is feeling the pain in Emporia and throughout the country right now. It is time for everyone to get together and speak with the commissioners. I spoke with State Rep. Don Hill and asked his opinion of what needs to take place for Emporia to get back on the right track. He pointed out that there are always ups and downs in the economy. I remember the 70s and the gas shortage then. When Wolf Creek construction was completed and the construction workers moved on it left a hole in the economy then. Things will get better if people try to make it better. Participation is necessary to get us all through this tough time.
Posted by hottopics (anonymous) on July 10, 2008 at 10:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I just want to know what happened in that house to cause such a tragedy. Dwight has been a member of the community for years. I look forward to the rest of the details of how something like this happened to all involved.
Posted by gazette_reader (anonymous) on July 10, 2008 at 10:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)
According to www.kvoe.com/news.htm, "Police Chief Gary Smith says 29-year-old Michael William Calvert tried to enter the house by force shortly before 9 pm. An altercation ensued..."
Surely a man wouldn't be arrested on suspicion of attempted second degree murder if his house was being broken into and he was defending himself?
steakbuffet, I understood what you were trying to say. Our police have been a busy bunch these past few weeks. I second my appreciation for what they're doing, and the extra time and energy they're putting in to deal with it.
Posted by hornetfan00 (anonymous) on July 11, 2008 at 10:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)
What happened to the daily report?
Posted by my2centsworth (anonymous) on July 11, 2008 at 10:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)
If one puts both stories together, the one from the Gazette and the one from KVOE, then one might have half of the real story, at most. No doubt Mr. Swafford's reputation has been tarnished by the Gazette's story alone. Take both stories together and it sounds to me like Mr. Swafford was defending himself and/or feared for his life. If Mr. Calvert was entering by force, then why weren't charges filed against him as well? Also, attempted murder charges? Come on now...that sounds a little extreme. How about an assault charge instead!
Posted by spectator (anonymous) on July 11, 2008 at 11:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Attempted murder???? I want to be on this jury!
Posted by 09071976 (anonymous) on July 11, 2008 at 2:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I have known Dwight for many years. He is a very honest, caring and loyal man. It's a shame that this had to happen to him and Denise.
I hope they blood test the "victim".
Posted by jessegirl (anonymous) on July 11, 2008 at 4:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I just wish that people would not bad mouth those involved until you know the whole story. Maybe Will is at fault but that does not mean that he deserved be shot.
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