Man who shot daughter’s boyfriend sentenced to prison

Incident happened in January 2024

(MADISON, Ind.) – A Cross Plains man who was convicted of shooting his daughter's boyfriend will spend decades in prison. 

Prosecutors say 44-year-old Mark Swafford was intoxicated when he entered the victim’s home in Madison in January 2024.  An argument ensued before Swafford pushed the victim down on the couch and shot him in the neck. 

The incident happened in front of Swafford’s daughter and 7-month-old granddaughter, police said.

Swafford then fled the home and led police on a high-speed pursuit through Ripley County before he crashed his vehicle, Jefferson County Prosecutor Dave Sutter added. 

The victim has since recovered from his injuries.

Swafford was convicted of Attempted Murder and was sentenced to 40 years in prison on Wednesday. 

He is expected to serve 35 years at the Indiana Department of Correction, followed by five years on supervised probation

“This case is a sobering reminder of the impact of violent crime and the importance of coordinated efforts by law enforcement,” said Prosecutor David Sutter. “We extend our gratitude to all the officers, investigators, and agencies who worked tirelessly to bring this matter to a conclusion.”