CHEROKEE COUNTY, N.C. (WDEF) — A Federal inmate has been taken into custody after shooting a detention officer.
Two officers were taking the inmate to the hospital in Murphy North Carolina.
The inmate grabbed one of the officers gun’s and shot officer Francisco Flattes and injured the other.
Officers Flattes has since died from his injuries.
The inmate, Kelvin Simons, who had prior chargers for escaping, then fled the hospital in a stolen car, and drove through Clay County.
Simons was then stopped in Macon County after officers performed a pit maneuver.
He threatened to take his own life before he was taken into custody.
Simons will be charged with first degree murder and more charges will be coming.
Erlanger has released the following statement:
“We are saddened by the tragic events that occurred today at our Erlanger Orthopedics office in Murphy, North Carolina, involving a fatal incident between a law enforcement officer and an inmate in custody. Our thoughts are with the fallen officer’s family, colleagues, and those impacted.”
