VISTA, Calif. (KGTV) -- A San Diego sheriff’s deputy is recovering after he was attacked by two inmates at the Vista detention facility Saturday.
According to the San Diego Sheriff’s Department, Deputy Michael Cascioppo was escorting a nurse in a housing module at the Vista Detention Facility Saturday around 2 p.m. when the attack happened.
“When Deputy Cascioppo and the nurse were walking by a particular cell, one of the two inmates inside got the attention of the deputy. The inmate asked if the deputy could pass a food tray to the inmates in the cell next door,” the sheriff’s department said in a news release.
When Deputy Cascioppo opened the cell door, two inmates rushed out and started punching and kicking him multiple times in the torso and head, authorities said.
Deputies said Cascioppo tried to defend himself but the two inmates pulled him into their cell and continued their assault until other deputies stopped the attack. Cascioppo suffered multiple injuries to his head and torso. He was taken to a hospital and released later Saturday night.
A @SDSheriff Deputy is recovering from injuries sustained after an unprovoked and violent attack at the hands of two inmates at the Vista Detention Facility. Read our news release: https://t.co/vw0ZKAhPKB. pic.twitter.com/Z7dV8AdBba
— San Diego Sheriff (@SDSheriff) February 15, 2021
The nurse was able to get away and was not assaulted. The identities of the two inmates are being withheld and the motive of the attack is unknown.
When Cascioppo spoke with the Sheriff's Department Sunday, his one concern was the nurse’s well-being. He wanted to make certain the nurse had not been injured.
Authorities said its protocol for deputies to accompany medical staff when they make contact with inmates. Medicine is distributed inside housing modules a couple of times a day at all jails. Due to current COVID-19 protocols and to limit exposure, inmates are locked inside cells while medication is distributed.
