A Scotland County jailer was attacked during a routine inmate check, authorities said.
Detention Officer Gail Jackson, who has worked in the jail for over 20 years, opened the cell of Wallace McKinnon to perform a basic evaluation, according to Sheriff Shep Jones. These checks are performed every 15 minutes throughout the day.
“The officers go in and do direct supervision where they must go in and do their scans inside the cells,” Jones said. “They’re getting a head count to make that sure everybody’s there, that no one is sick or has attempted or committed suicide, and that they have no medical issues.”
When Jackson entered McKinnon’s cell, he attacked her while her back was turned. The incident occurred on Tuesday.
“She went inside and he attacked her from the rear and hit her and knocked her to the floor, causing a major laceration in her forehead area,” said Jones. “While she was down, he got on top of her and started beating her with his fists.”
McKinnon, 23, of 21701 Gilchist St., had been jailed after being charged with trespassing. The incident was caught on video, and McKinnon was charged with one felony count of assault on a government officer, adding $5,000 to his bond.
Jackson was transported by EMS to Scotland Memorial Hospital for treatment of a forehead laceration, and has since been discharged.
McKinnon has been transferred to the Robeson County Jail.
Jones said that this type of incident is relatively uncommon.
“This doesn’t happen often; it’s just an unfortunate situation,” Jones said. “We’re fully staffed back there, but working in that environment, sometimes those things are going to happen.”
A routine inmate check at the Scotland County Detention Center resulted in further charges after an officer was attacked.
On Tuesday morning, Detention Officer Gail Jackson, who has worked in the jail for over 20 years, opened the cell of Wallace McKinnon to perform a basic evaluation, according to Sheriff Shep Jones. These checks are performed every 15 minutes throughout the day.
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