By Michael Gartland
New York Daily News
NEW YORK — An inmate set to be arraigned in a Bronx hospital bed jumped a correction officer after calling out for help from the toilet, city Correction Department sources revealed Tuesday.
The bathroom beatdown happened Friday at St. Barnabas Hospital. Photos of the injured correction officer began circulating over email on Tuesday.
At around 9 p.m. on Friday, two correction officers were assigned to a detainee awaiting arraignment at St. Barnabas. The detainee, who Correction Department officials declined to identify, was allowed to use the bathroom and once inside called out to the officers.
The attacker smacked one of the officers over the crown of his head with a pipe when he entered the toilet, agency sources said.
The Department of Correction declined to name the officers, but said the injured guard was treated at a local hospital and then released.
“The safety and well-being of our officers is a top priority,” city Department of Correction spokesman Peter Thorne said. “This outrageous attack is under investigation and the case was referred to the Bronx district attorney.”
Correction Officers Benevolent Association president Elias Husamudeen called the attack “heinous” and said it “demonstrates the caliber of violent individuals who come into our custody. They are not turnstile jumpers or truants. They are the worst of the worst.
“If not for the quick and immediate response from the Correction Officers who rushed in to defend these two officers, this incident could have been far worse.”
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