Fla. deputy shoots, kills inmate trying to escape

Associated Press

PALATKA, Fla. — Officials in Florida say a corrections officer shot and killed an inmate who tried to escape from jail by climbing a razor wire fence.

Sheriff Jeff Hardy says a deputy at the Putnam County Jail fired once at inmate Michael A. Campbell after he refused orders to stop, jumped from the top of a fence in the recreation yard and tried to run away Wednesday.

Hardy says the officers were just doing their job and that it was unfortunate someone had to die, but that was Campbell's choice.

The 31-year-old was at the county jail so he could attend a custody hearing. He was serving 10 years sentence for kidnapping and other charges.

Two inmates escaped from the same jail in April by hiding a vehicle jack in their cell and using it to make their way out.