Rancho Cucamonga, California – In a disturbing incident captured by surveillance cameras at the West Valley Detention Center, an inmate armed with a homemade metal knife attacked a deputy in San Bernardino County. The violent encounter took place on June 11 at around 2:45 p.m.
The inmate involved, 25-year-old Christopher Lommie Jackson, has been in custody since 2019 on various violent charges, including the alleged murder of 51-year-old Subhi Baghdadi of Anaheim. Prior to the attack on the deputy, Jackson had attempted to stab another inmate, leading to a confrontation with the jail-assigned deputies.
Footage from the cameras shows Jackson emerging from his cell with a shiv in hand, making contact with the deputy, and engaging in a violent struggle that ended with other deputies intervening and subduing the inmate. The 45-year-old deputy sustained moderate injuries to his face but was treated and released from a local hospital.
Authorities express concerns about the safety of employees working in correctional facilities, emphasizing the significant danger presented by violent attacks on deputies. In San Bernardino County alone, there have been 236 assaults on deputies between 2020 and 2023, with 51 violent attacks reported this year.
San Bernardino County Sheriff Shannon Dicus condemned the violent behavior, stating that such actions pose a serious threat to the safety and security of staff and inmates. The department is committed to pursuing the maximum legal consequences for individuals who carry out attacks in correctional facilities.
In response to the attack on the deputy, attempted murder charges have been filed against Jackson with the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the risks faced by law enforcement officers in the line of duty, highlighting the ongoing challenges of maintaining safety and order in correctional facilities.