By C1 Staff
SANTA FE, N.M. — Officials released video Wednesday that shows several inmates carrying out an attack against a CO.
The incident occurred Aug. 3 after corrections officers released inmates for recreational tier time, KRQE reported.
Inmate Carlos Mendez is seen on surveillance footage speaking to a corrections officer as another inmate, Lorenzo Martinez, steps out of a cell. Martinez steps forward as an officer attempts to search him and a third inmate, Joe Martinez, attacks the officer with a homemade shank. Lorenzo can be seen joining in.
Investigators said Mendez spoke to the officers as a distraction. A second CO deployed pepper spray at Joe and Lorenzo, but Lorenzo charged at the officer.
A third officer fired three less lethal rounds that led to the end of the attack. The two COs were treated and released.
According to an arrest affidavit, Lorenzo told Deputy Warden Aaron Vigil he planned to kill CO Allan Rico because the officer “disrespected” him.
The three inmates are charged with attempted murder. Joe and Lorenzo were moved to a segregation unit pending a trial. The officers have since returned to work.