The man arrested Saturday night for the attempted murder of a Christian County sheriff’s deputy was arraigned via video conferencing Monday afternoon in Christian District Court.
Judge Foster Cotthoff entered a not guilty plea on behalf of 32-year old Bradley Dunning of Dawson Springs and scheduled a preliminary hearing for June 15.
His bond is currently set at $500,000 and Judge Cotthoff determined it would stay that amount, finding Dunning a danger to himself and others.
Sgt. Brandon Myers was on patrol on the Eagle Way Bypass Saturday night when he saw taillights at the edge of a cornfield near the Pennyrile Parkway interchange. He made his way onto the Parkway ramp and could see a man on an ATV attempting to cross a wire fence.
Dunning reportedly told Sgt. Myers a story about an argument with his girlfriend and said he was cutting through the cornfield after leaving his brother’s home on Lafayette Road before striking the fence and becoming stuck.
An arrest citation says a computer check showed Dunning was sought on a warrant and that he requested EMS, claiming he had also struck a tree on the ATV. Sgt. Myers was running a check on the VIN number of the ATV after noticing markings similar to those on city vehicles as Dunning was lying face down on the ATV with his hands out.
As Sgt. Myers knelt down he heard three clicks and looked up to see Dunning with a revolver pointed at his head. The revolver didn’t fire and Sgt. Myers drew his duty weapon, causing Dunning to drop his gun and put his hands in the air.
Dunning was then restrained and placed in custody until backup arrived. Further investigation determined Dunning had driven a vehicle stolen out of Princeton to Tie Breaker Park, where the ATV was stolen.
Dunning is charged with attempted murder of a police officer, third-degree burglary, felony receiving stolen property, possession of a handgun by a convicted felon and criminal mischief.