An inmate attacked officers on Saturday, injuring four and prompting a lockdown of the Rush City prison, according to the Minnesota Department of Corrections.
At about 3:20 p.m. Saturday, staff were conducting routine cell searches when they encountered an inmate who they suspected had homemade alcohol. When officers approached, the inmate assaulted officers with a shank, according to a Corrections Department statement on Sunday.
One officer sustained a puncture wound and was taken to the hospital. The officer was treated for injuries and released from the hospital Saturday night, the department reported.
Three other officers, who reportedly subdued and restrained the inmate, were taken to the hospital, where they were evaluated and released.
The prison was placed on lockdown. The area where the attack occurred will remain on lockdown over the weekend, while the rest of the facility resumed normal operations Saturday night.
The man accused of the assault is being transferred to the maximum-security prison in Oak Park Heights. The man is serving a life sentence for first-degree murder and has been housed at the Rush City facility since his sentencing.
The Corrections Department is investigating the incident and is expected to refer the case to the Chisago County Attorney’s Office for consideration of felony assault charges.
“We are grateful for the swift and courageous actions of our staff, and we are providing them the care and support they need,” said Paul Schnell, department commissioner, in a statement, calling the incident a “senseless act of violence.”
