Bond set at $1.5M for Nathanael Benton, man accused of shooting 2 police officers in Delafield

WAUKESHA COUNTY, Wis. (CBS 58) -- A North Dakota man accused of shooting two police officers in Delafield, Wisconsin, has been charged. 

Nathanael Benton, 23, faces two counts of attempted first degree intentional homicide, use of a dangerous weapon, and possession of a firearm by an outstate felon, repeat offender in Waukesha County.  

Benton made his initial appearance in Waukesha County court on Monday, Nov. 9, where a judge set his cash bond at $1.5 million. 

According to a criminal complaint, body cameras were rolling when the shooting happened in the parking lot of the Holiday Inn on Golf Road Friday, Nov. 6. The criminal complaint says the video shows one officer performing a frisk for weapons search, when Benton suddenly made a motion with his right arm and immediately started firing a weapon toward both officers at close range. 

One officer was struck twice in the back and once in the hip. The other was struck in the leg. 

Police have not yet released the names of the officers who were shot, but did provide an update Monday on their conditions. 

"Our officer is home with family, he's in the recovery process," said Delafield Police Chief Erik Kehl, "He's doing as well as we could hope."

Hartland Police Chief Torin Misko says his officer is in stable condition, but still at the hospital. 

"This was a very significant injury to this officer. He’s going to have a long road to recovery," he said. 

Benton ran from the scene and an hours-long manhunt ensued. Multiple agencies were called in to help with the search. Benton was eventually found in a field less than a mile away from the hotel. He was taken into custody without incident. 

The criminal complaint says Benton was traveling with two other people -- a 29-year-old woman and 30-year-old man -- both from Warsaw, Indiana -- to Wisconsin Rapids before the shooting. The three stopped at the hotel early Friday, when they were confronted by the officers in the parking lot, the complaint says. 

This is not the only case Benton is charged in. He's wanted for attempted murder in Fargo, North Dakota, in connection to a shooting that happened Nov. 1. 

"This is something I wish no agency has to go through and no police officer, specifically, has to go through," said Chief Misko about his officer being shot, "But we'll work through this together and we'll work with the officer and his family to get to a full recovery."

A Hartland Officer Recovery Fund has been created through Waukesha State Bank. Those wanting to donate can make a deposit at any Waukesha State Bank or mail a check to: 

Waukesha State Bank 

C/O Hartland Officer Recovery Fund 

P.O. Box 648 

Waukesha, WI 53187