On August 16, 2025, at approximately 5:13 am, Deputies from the Howard County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to the 600 South block of County Road 750 West reference a stabbing. Upon arrival, deputies located the victim, Derek Wheeler, a 35-year-old male from Kokomo. Mr. Wheeler was suffering from a large laceration wound to his abdomen. Mr. Wheeler was transported to Community Howard Hospital and then air-lifted to a Fort Wayne Hospital in critical condition.
Detectives from the Howard County Sheriff’s Office were called to the scene to investigate. Through their efforts, the detectives identified the suspect from the incident. On Sunday, August 17, 2025, at 12:11 pm, a search warrant was executed in the 300 block of Branded Boulevard. The suspect, James I. Hampton, age 54 of Kokomo, was taken into custody at 12:27 pm with the help of the Howard County Sheriff’s SWAT team.
James Hampton was booked into the Howard County Jail on a charge of Attempted Murder a Class 1 Felony.
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
The Howard County Sheriff’s office was assisted at the initial scene by Community Howard Ambulance and Russiaville Ambulance.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Scott Waymire at scott.waymire@howardcountyin.gov or (765) 456-2020.