Violent Jail Assault Sends Inmate to Hospital in Critical Condition
The investigation continues into what provoked an Adams County Jail inmate to beat his cellmate so brutally the victim had to be airlifted to Spokane Tuesday morning. The jail is located in Ritzville.
Adams County jail worker also injured
According to the Adams County Sheriff's Office (via information release):
"Early morning hours, an inmate 28 year old Ramon Reyna physically attacked another inmate 21 year old Anthony Vargas- Martinez, whom he shares a cell with. The attack was unprovoked. During the attack, Reyna repeatedly struck Vargas- Martinez with closed fists knocking him unconscious. Reyna continued beating the subject and then began kicking the victim in the head."
Suarez Tapia, a corrections deputy, came to the cell and tried to break up the fight, eventually having to use his Taser. However, Reyna continued to resist. He also attacked Tapia. Another inmate worker came to the rescue, helping Tapia try to subdue the violent suspect. During this altercation, Tapia suffered some head wounds and was taken to an area hospital, but they were not life-threatening. However, he will have to stay out for a few days due to the issues.
Reyna was finally subdued with several Taser hits and was placed in a WRAPP system, a series of restraints that basically turns a person into a 'mummy'.
The victim, Vargas-Martinez, had to be airlifted to Spokane where he is in critical condition. The Columbia Basin Investigative Team will assist with the investigation, it is not yet known what provoked Reyna into the assault, or why he was able to resist several direct hits from the Taser units.