Prison brawl ends in bloodshed

St. John’s Antigua:  A bloody clash between inmates at Her Majesty’s Prison has left one convict hospitalised with a stab wound and being questioned as a suspect by police.

Twenty-four-year-old Junior “Steel” Immanuel was stabbed in the abdomen with a makeshift weapon – dubbed a ‘shank’ – at about 7:15 am during a confrontation with fellow convict Marlon “Stone” Phoenix.

The incident unfolded in the prison yard near the maximum security section.

Sources told OBSERVER Media Immanuel underwent emergency surgery, which was successful and his injury is no longer believed to be life threatening.

The Police Strategic Communications Office, through Senior Sergeant William Holder, said Phoenix, on the other hand, reportedly sustained minor bruises to the neck and arms.

The convict reportedly refused medical attention.

While the duo had declined to give information to police about the matter up to press time, sources said they had an argument on the grounds and it led to a fight.

It was then Immanuel was stabbed.

He was rushed to Mount St John’s Medical Centre while Phoenix was taken into police custody after apparently refusing treatment.

Phoenix is currently serving a 12-year sentence for the attempted murder of Mario Charles and six years for shooting with intent to murder Gavin Paredes.

He was found guilty and sentenced in 2008.

Immanuel was sentenced to eight years in prison in November 2009 after he pleaded guilty to wounding with intent to murder Sherwyn Joseph.

Earlier this year, there was another stabbing at the prison. Prisoner Rashawn Shabbaz was reportedly stabbed in the back and hand with a “shank” made from a toothbrush.