OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. — Oklahoma correctional officials said an inmate was fatally shot after an officer was taken hostage Saturday afternoon.

It happened at the Oklahoma County Jail.

A correctional officer was overrun by at least one inmate during pill pass and taken hostage on the 10th floor shortly after 4 p.m. The inmate took the officer’s radio and keys and released many other inmates.

Oklahoma County Sheriff Tommie Johnson III said officers tried to de-escalate the hostage situation, but shots were fired after the inmate had the correctional officer in a “hostage position” and held something to his neck.

“Lethal force was taken, and the suspect was shot on scene,” Johnson told reporters. “We were able to get the detention officer out safely.”

The names of the officer and the inmate have not been released.

Video that appeared to be from inside the jail was shared online. In the video, the inmate complains about jail conditions, saying, “We can’t take showers.”

Oklahoma City Police Chief Wade Gourley said his department would be overseeing the investigation into the shooting.

Inmates have repeatedly complained about moldy food, lack of water, and access to basic sanitation, including showers within the Oklahoma County Jail.

In February, two Oklahoma County detention officers were arrested and fired after an investigation into the smuggling of drugs, cellphones, and other contraband to jail inmates.

Seven jail inmates died in 2018 and six deaths were reported in 2019. In 2020, six people died.

Five inmates have now died at the jail in 2021, and two others escaped.

Cox Media Group