Shocking surveillance video shows the moment an inmate ambushed a prison guard and strangled her with a pillowcase before other inmates rushed to her rescue.
Deputy Lilian Jimenez was assaulted around 1 a.m. June 7 at the Hillsborough County Detention Center in Tampa by inmate Bridgette Harvey, 42, who was also said to be armed with a comb she had sharpened with her teeth.
Before the attack, Jimenez is seen walking into the prison cell’s bathroom, where she was told that an inmate needed help. In the video, an inmate watches her every move as Harvey sneaks up behind her and wraps a pillowcase around her neck.
Harvey has been held in the detention center since May 31 on charges of burglary with a firearm and drug abuse. Why she attacked the deputy is unclear.
In the surveillance video, a group of female inmates can be seen inside the capsule rushing to the guard’s aid, officials said.
They helped remove the pillowcase from Jimenez’s neck and freed her from Harvey’s grasp.
Deputy Lilian Jimenez was assaulted around 1 a.m. June 7 at the Hillsborough County Detention Center in Tampa by inmate Bridgette Harvey, 42, who was also said to be armed with a comb she had sharpened with her teeth. Pictured: Jimenez (right, in black) is watched by Harvey (far left, in orange).
In the surveillance footage, Harvey can be seen sneaking up on the guard as she stands in the bathroom door after being lured there by a second inmate
Seconds later, Harvey sneaks up behind Jimenez and strangles her with a pillowcase
Bridgette Harvey, 42, has been in custody since May 31 on charges of robbery with a gun. Since the attack on the officer, she now faces a number of other charges. Prison officials said she was also armed with a comb, which she sharpened with her teeth.
During the disturbing ordeal, the deputy can be seen on video calling the Emergency Response Team on her radio.
Jimenez suffered minor injuries to his neck and neck, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) said.
When the emergency crew escorted her out of the prison ward. Harvey was tied up and removed from the area.
Four inmates were involved in the attack, officials said.
Officials said Harvey first contacted Jimenez in the early hours of June 7, stating that another inmate needed their assistance.
While the deputy went to the women’s restroom to check on another detainee, identified as April Colvin, 37, Harvey Jimenez approached from behind and the attack occurred.
In this image from surveillance footage, Harvey (left) can be seen attacking the guard in the bathroom while another inmate watches the scene
Within seconds of the attack, nearly a dozen inmates rushed to the guard’s aid and freed her from Harvey’s grasp
According to center officials, Harvey confessed to planning the attack. She was also armed with a comb that she sharpened with her teeth.
Sheriff Chad Chronister said the attacker and her co-conspirator now face additional charges for assaulting Jimenez.
Colvin, the co-conspirator, has been held at the center since May 24 on charges of drug abuse, trespassing and resisting arrest.
Two other occupants were also removed from the capsule. They have not been identified.
Officials said all four inmates involved were placed in solitary confinement for the roles they played in the attack.
“While these inmates put our deputy in danger, there were others who did the right thing by coming to her rescue, and for that I am grateful,” Chronister said.
He also thanked the emergency services and the inmates for the quick response.
“Thanks to the quick response of our emergency response team and the inmates who showed compassion to help our deputy, a dire situation turned into the safe rescue of Deputy Jimenez,” he said.