Rancho Cucamonga, California – In a shocking incident captured on surveillance cameras at the West Valley Detention Center, an inmate armed with a homemade metal knife launched a brutal attack on a deputy. The violent altercation occurred around 2:45 p.m. on June 11, as per a news release from the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department.
The inmate, identified as 25-year-old Christopher Lommie Jackson, who has been in custody since 2019 on charges including the alleged murder of 51-year-old Subhi Baghdadi of Anaheim, attempted to stab another inmate, prompting a response from jail-assigned deputies. Jackson was caught on camera flying out of a cell with a knife in hand, making contact with a deputy, and engaging in a vicious struggle.
Following the incident, responding deputies quickly intervened and eventually subdued Jackson. The 45-year-old deputy involved in the altercation reportedly suffered moderate injuries to his face, requiring treatment at a local hospital. It remains unclear if the inmate initially attacked by Jackson sustained any injuries.
Violent attacks on deputies at correctional facilities pose a significant risk to the safety of county employees. San Bernardino County alone reported 236 assaults on deputies between 2020-2023, with 51 violent attacks recorded this year. Sheriff Shannon Dicus expressed concern over such behavior, emphasizing the need for legal consequences for those perpetrating attacks within correctional facilities.
Charges of attempted murder have been filed against Jackson with the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office for the assault on the deputy. The incident underscores the challenges faced by law enforcement personnel in maintaining order and safety within correctional facilities.