NEW HARMONY, Ind. — Neighbors are shocked over a shooting in a southwestern Indiana town that involved a sheriff’s deputy and a former law enforcer.

Posey County sheriff’s Deputy Bryan Hicks was shot in the head Saturday night in New Harmony and was recovering at Deaconess Midtown Hospital in Evansville, authorities said.

Joni Mayhan said she saw the shooting from her yard. She said it was “hard to watch” as officers tried to get Hicks away from the scene.

“You never think something like this will happen until it happens,” Mayhan said.

Hicks and other officers were responding to a call for a welfare check when a man opened fire from inside, Indiana State Police said.

The man was identified as Paul Wiltshire, 70, a former town marshal and reserve deputy. He also was taken to a hospital.

“This situation has sent shock waves through this community and this office,” Sheriff Tom Latham said.

New Harmony was hosting Kunstfest over the weekend, an annual German festival that draws big crowds. Most visitors were unware of the shooting, the Evansville Courier & Press reported.