4 Correctional Officers Hurt in Rush City Prison Attack
Four correctional officers were injured Saturday afternoon after a man serving a life sentence for first-degree murder attacked staff at the Minnesota Correctional Facility in Rush City.
The assault happened around 3:20 p.m. on Aug. 9 while staff were conducting routine cell searches and suspected the man of being in possession of homemade alcohol, also referred to as “hooch.”
When officers approached, the man assaulted them with a makeshift weapon described as a shank, injuring four officers.
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One officer sustained a puncture wound and was transported by ambulance to a local hospital, where he is currently undergoing treatment for non-life-threatening injuries and is expected to recover. Three other officers, who helped restrain the attacker, were taken to a hospital by state vehicle for evaluation and have since been released.
The DOC said the area of the prison where the attack occurred will remain on lockdown over the weekend. The rest of the facility resumed normal operations last night. The man accused of the assault is being transferred to the DOC’s maximum-security prison in Oak Park Heights.
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The department’s Office of Special Investigations is handling the case and will refer it to the Chisago County Attorney’s Office for possible felony assault charges.
DOC officials said the man has been housed at Rush City since his sentencing for first-degree murder.
Commissioner Paul Schnell called the attack a “cowardly” and “senseless act of violence,” adding that the department will pursue every available option to hold the man accountable.
Authorities have not released the identities of the officers injured.
The exterior of MCF-Rush City. STOCK PHOTO
