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Inmate Shot, Killed In Oklahoma County Jail Hostage Situation

Oklahoma County Sheriff's Office
Oklahoma County Jail

The Oklahoma County jail went on lockdown Saturday after a correctional officer was taken hostage.

Ultimately, the hostage was rescued but a suspect was killed.

The officer was taken hostage while passing out medicine to a floor with detainees who jail staff say are especially difficult to manage.

One detainee allegedly released others after attacking the officer. It’s unclear how many people took part in the attack.

Detainees live streamed the incident on social media. In the videos they complained they were acting in response to the jail’s inhumane conditions. They said they weren’t able to take regular showers and weren’t getting enough food.

Limited views from the videos showed filthy conditions.

Authorities say they will investigate how the officer was taken hostage and the decision to kill one of the detainees.

The incident is one more bad mark against the understaffed, overcrowded jail that has recorded seven other detainee deaths in the last four months.

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Quinton Chandler worked at StateImpact Oklahoma from January 2018 to August 2021, focusing on criminal justice reporting.
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