A North Carolina detention officer was fatally shot throughout a “scuffle” at a medical facility after a federal inmate who had been taken to the ability for remedy managed to grab his weapon, authorities stated.
The inmate was apprehended after fleeing in a stolen car and now faces a homicide cost, in response to Cherokee County Sheriff Dustin Smith.
“This has in all probability been one of many worst days of my profession,” Smith stated throughout a press briefing Monday night. “This can be a powerful day for legislation enforcement for Cherokee County.”
The inmate — recognized as 48-year-old Kelvin Simmons — had been transported to a medical facility for orthopedic remedy after he complained of foot ache, in response to Smith.
Two detention officers had been escorting Simmons — a heightened protocol after the inmate had beforehand tried a failed escape from the Cherokee County detention heart final 12 months, Smith stated.
One of many officers, 56-year-old Francisco Flattes, was shot on the medical facility, the sheriff stated.
Cherokee County Sheriff Dustin Smith addresses reporters, June 30, 2025.
WLOS
“There was a scuffle, and that is when the officer’s weapon was taken from him,” Smith stated.
Flattes was rushed to the hospital, the place he was pronounced lifeless. The opposite officer, George Feinauer, was injured through the incident however is predicted to get well, Smith stated.
Simmons is then accused of carjacking a car from somebody who was on the medical facility and fleeing the scene. He was later apprehended in Macon County, North Carolina. Nobody else was within the car. He was transported to a hospital within the space after complaining of foot ache, the sheriff stated.
Simmons is a federal inmate who was being housed in Cherokee County on financial institution theft expenses, in response to Smith. On-line data present he pleaded responsible to financial institution theft by pressure or violence and motorcar theft in 2023 however has not but been sentenced.
Simmons additionally faces escape expenses after trying to interrupt out of the Cherokee County detention heart in October 2024 by climbing over a fence, in response to Smith.
He’s going to be charged with first-degree homicide in Flattes’ demise, in response to the native district lawyer, Ashley Hornsby Welch.
“We anticipate that extra expenses will probably be forthcoming,” she stated on the briefing. “We have additionally been involved with america Legal professional’s Workplace, and I do consider that expenses are probably coming from them as effectively.”
Flattes had been with the sheriff’s workplace for 4 years, Smith stated. His spouse additionally works for the Cherokee County detention heart and his son-in-law works for the sheriff’s workplace.
“I simply ask that you just pray for our workplace, for Officer Flattes’ household,” Smith stated.
