NEW YORK (1010 WINS/WCBS 880) – A Rikers Island inmate was charged with beating a 59-year-old city Department of Correction officer unconscious, the Bronx district attorney said Thursday.
Rashidi Smith, 31, was charged with attempted murder and other offenses after allegedly punching the officer multiple times in the Otis Bantum Correctional Center and slamming his head against a chair and concrete wall.
Another officer and detainee interfered and separated Smith from the victim with pepper spray, according to prosecutors. The victim was unconscious after the attack and taken to Mount Sinai Health System with serious injuries.
"No one should be subjected to violent acts like this while on the job," Bronx D.A. Darcel Clark said of the "brutal, unprovoked attack."
Smith will return to court on Nov. 30.