Rush City prison assault: 4 correctional officers hospitalized after shank attack

Rush City corrections officer attacked by inmate

An inmate at the Rush City prison attacked a correctional officer with a shank. FOX 9's Leon Purvis has the story.

RUSH CITY, Minn. (FOX 9) - A Rush City Correctional Facility officer is recovering from a "puncture wound" after being attacked by an inmate who was armed with a shank.

Rush City prison attack 

What we know:

The Minnesota Department of Corrections (DOC) said the attack happened when prison staff at the Rush City Correctional Facility were doing routine cell searches around 3:20 p.m. on Saturday. 

Officers then approached an inmate who was suspected of possessing homemade alcohol, also known as "hooch", according to authorities. 

Authorities say the inmate then attacked staff with a makeshift shank.

One of the officers was stabbed during the attack and taken to the hospital. He is being treated for non-life-threatening "puncture wound" injuries and is expected to fully recover, according to DOC officials. The officer was released from the hospital Saturday night. 

Three other officers subdued and restrained the inmate after the attack. They were taken to the hospital for evaluation and released. 

DOC officials say the prison was then placed on lockdown and the area where the attack happened will remain on lockdown over the weekend. The rest of the facility resumed normal operations on Saturday night. 

Authorities say the inmate responsible for the attack is being transferred to the maximum-security prison in Oak Park Heights. 

The inmate is currently serving a life sentence for first-degree murder. 

What we don't know:

The inmate's name has not yet been released. 

Formal charges related to the attack have not yet been filed as the DOC's Office of Special Investigations is still investigating the incident. The case is expected to be referred to the Chisago County Attorney's Office for consideration of felony assault charges. 

What they're saying:

Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Corrections Paul Schnell released the following statement:

"This senseless act of violence serves as a stark reminder of the dangers correctional staff face every day in service to public safety. We are grateful for the swift and courageous actions of our staff, and we are providing them the care and support they need. We will pursue every available remedy to hold the assailant accountable for this cowardly attack."

The union that represents Minnesota prison correctional officers, AFSCME Council 5, sent the following statement regarding the incident: 

"Violence against workers is absolutely unacceptable and must be prosecuted to send a clear, unmistakable message that it will not be tolerated.

"The brutal attack last night that sent multiple Correctional Officers at MCF Rush City to the hospital is yet another reminder of the dangers our members face every day inside our correctional and secure facilities. These are not just isolated incidents — they are part of a disturbing and repeated pattern across our facilities that must end now.

"Our union will always stand shoulder-to-shoulder with our members, fight relentlessly for safe staffing levels, demand stronger protections, and ensure those who commit these acts of violence are held fully accountable, as well as the Minnesota Department of Corrections. Every worker has the right to go home safely at the end of their shift — and we will fight for nothing less."