BOSTON (WHDH) — The shooting at Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary has raised questions about how prisoners get moved around and peoples’ security when they are in public areas.
A Middlesex County inmate, who was brought to Mass. Eye and Ear for treatment Wednesday, grabbed a Middlesex County sheriff’s deputy’s gun, shooting him in the leg. The other sheriff’s deputy that was there shot the inmate. This happened when the inmate’s handcuffs were being removed.
7News is waiting to hear from the Middlesex County sheriff’s office about its procedure for transporting inmates in these situations.
Each sheriff makes up the rules for transporting inmates for their particular county. The Bristol County sheriff’s office said when an inmate is being transported he or she is handled by an unarmed officer. They said a second officer, who is armed, keeps some distance for security purposes. The sheriff’s office added the prisoner is handcuffed behind the back and his or her legs are in shackles at all times.
The deputy in the shooting is expected to be okay. The inmate is in critical condition.