Oregon Inmate Shot By Guard Breaking Up Massive Prison Fight

GENERAL NEWS 

By Ethan Lindsey

Bend, OR  April 8, 2008 2:08 p.m.

A prison inmate from Snake River Correctional Institution remains hospitalized Tuesday after being shot Sunday by a guard trying to break up a fight.

An investigation into the shooting is being led by the Oregon State Police and the Malheur County District Attorney's office.

The medium-security Ontario prison remains on lockdown today - and visiting has been canceled for Wednesday.

Prison spokeswoman Amber Campbell says she can't comment on whether the shot was intentional or a mistaken warning shot.

Amber Campbell: "A disturbance which involved up to 120 inmates occurred, corrections staff fired a shot from an observation tower which struck an inmate."

Officials have not released the inmate's name and condition.

According to the Salem Statesman-Journal, Sunday's shooting was the first time a prison officer has shot an inmate in the past 10 years.

The inmate's name and condition have not been released.

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