April 16, 2026/Information from a NYSCOPBA Press Release
Attica, NY-A 34-year-oldinmate, who previously launched a brutal attack on a civilian
counselor and a correction officer at Lakeview Correctional Facility less than two months
ago, assaulted and injured six officers at Attica Correctional Facility yesterday (April 15th) morning.
The incident began at approximately 9:02a.m.when an officer assigned to one of the
program rooms observed two inmates arguing and attempting to fight. A sergeant
responded to de-escalate the situation. After the altercation was brought under control,
one of the inmates involved was escorted from the classroom to be placed in another
room. During the escort, a 34-year-old inmate not involved in the original incident, seated
in a restart chair, suddenly sucker punched one of the officers in the face, causing him to
stumble backward. A second officer immediately responded and attempted to place the
inmate in a body hold. The inmate resisted, punching the officer multiple times in the upper
body.
A sergeant on the scene ordered the inmate to stop, but when another officer moved to
apply handcuffs, the inmate punched him in the midsection. Three additional officers
responded, attempting to subdue the inmate as he violently struggled. A total of seven
officers and a National Guardsman were eventually able to force the inmate into a body
hold, securing his arms behind his back and applying handcuffs. Once handcuffed, the
force ceased, and the inmate was escorted to the infirmary for evaluation before being
returned to his cell in the Residential Rehabilitation Unit (RRU).
Following the incident, all involved staff received medical treatment. Six officers sustained
injuries, including to their face, neck, back, hands, shoulders, knees, and legs. The officer
who was initially assaulted sustained facial and neck injuries and was transported to Erie
County Medical Center for further treatment. He did not return to duty and still is out of
work due to his injuries. The other five officers remained on duty.
This incident follows a similar attack in February when the same inmate, while incarcerated
at Lakeview Shock Incarceration, brutally assaulted an officer and civilian counselor in a
classroom. The attack began when the inmate, initially seated, suddenly sprang up and
approached the counselor, striking her repeatedly in the face and head. As the counselor
attempted to retreat, the inmate continued the assault, causing her to fall and strike her
head on a metal desk before collapsing to the floor. The officer outside the classroom
immediately called for backup as the counselor fought back, kicking the inmate in the legs
and groin to defend herself. The counselor sustained injuries to her jaw, neck, and head,
while the officer suffered swelling and pain in the back of his head. Both were transported
to Westfield Hospital, the officer was diagnosed with a concussion, and the civilian
counselor hasn’t returned to the facility.
The inmate was convicted of Attempted Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in
the 3rd Degree in Niagara County in 2024.
“It is ironic that this same inmate, who viciously attacked an officer and counselor at
Lakeview Shock, who was also involved in an inmate-on-inmate altercation prior to that
incident at the beginning of February, is still housed in a Residential Rehabilitation Unit
which was created due to the HALT Act,” stated Kenny Gold, NYSCOPBA Western Region
Vice President.
“Clearly, there is no rehabilitating this inmate. His continued violent behavior towards staff shows the failure of the current system. Had the HALT committee’s recommendations been implemented, none of these incidents would’ve happened and would’ve immediately made the prisons safer for all employees and the inmates alike.”
“There is no better example of recidivist behavior than these assaults. Had he simply been
restrained, employees and other inmates would’ve been safer. There are no effective
disciplinary measures to deter violent inmates like this one, leaving our members to endure
attacks with little to no repercussions. This inmate, serving a seven-year sentence, shows a
complete disregard for the rules, and should not be allowed to re-enter society anytime in
the near future. Legislators who are neglecting to enact the recommendations of the HALT
Committee fail to understand the daily violence our members face, or they simply do not
care. This needs to become a priority to the legislators, anything else is a slap in the face to
the men and women who protect them every day.”