Racine County Jail inmate accused of stabbing corrections officer with pen during fingerprinting

RACINE COUNTY -- A Racine County Jail inmate stands accused of attacking a corrections officer Tuesday morning, July 16 -- as officials worked to obtain fingerprints.

It happened shortly after 9:30 a.m.

Officials with the Racine County Sheriff's Office said the violent attack happened as the corrections officers tried to obtain fingerprints.

According to a criminal complaint, officers were in the process of taking Massie's photograph and fingerprints. He was given a pen to sign his name on the fingerprint card when prosecutors said he took the pen from the corrections officer and began to swing it at his head, striking him several times. He also allegedly bit the officer on the neck.

Massie told investigators "officers were mean to him" and told him to sit down. He admitted he used the pen to stab the corrections officer in the head approximately five times, the complaint said.

Additional staff members responded and were able to restrain the inmate, identified by the Racine County Sheriff's Office as Zarnell Massie, who was being held for disorderly conduct.

Following this incident, Massie was charged with aggravated battery, use of a dangerous weapon, battery by prisoners, use of a dangerous weapon, and disorderly conduct, use of a dangerous weapon.

He made his initial appearance in court on Wednesday, July 17. A competency evaluation was ordered, and a competency hearing was scheduled for Aug. 20. Cash bond was set at $2,000.