JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Four inmates had a plan to bust out of jail, but the security measures and people in place were just too much for them to overcome in a Monday incident that sent eight people to the hospital.
According to the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office, Justin McMillian, previously arrested on a murder charge, grabbed a corrections officer who had just unlocked a door.
While McMillian held the officer in a choke hold, the report indicates, inmate William Hayes rushed for the door.
When Hayes opened the door, inmates Walter Greene and Christopher Robert rushed through.
Hayes removed the officer's utility belt, which held his radio and electronic control device. The officer said Hayes apparently couldn't figure out how to make the electronic device work, because he kept it pointed at the officer, yet nothing happened.
He said McMillian then shoved him into the corner and rushed through the door, closing it behind him with the four inmates on the other side.
The officer was then able to retrieve his radio and call for help.
Other officers responded and began fighting with the inmates. Robert was able to get hold of another electronic control device and point it at an officer, but again it was not deployed.
Several more officers arrived and got control of the inmates.
None of them have spoken about the incident.
All four inmates face new charges of depriving an officer of means of protection or communication, simple battery on a law enforcement officer and mutiny, riot or strike (or attempt) in a state correctional institution.
McMillian and Greene also face an additional charge of use of a chemical or electric non-lethal weapon against a law enforcement officer.
The four inmates plus four officers had to be taken to the hospital for treatment following the incident.
One inmate and one officer had to stay overnight, but all eight have been released.
First Coast News