Hostage situation resolved at Cook County Jail

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Friday, July 29, 2016
Hostage situation resolved at Cook County jail
A hostage situation involving three inmates at the Cook County Jail has been resolved.

CHICAGO (WLS) -- The Cook County Sheriff's Department says the hostage situation at Cook County Jail has been resolved.

Officials said around 4:30 p.m. two inmates took another inmate hostage with a sharp object on the Division 10 maximum security tier.

"These two detainees created tremendous chaos," said Cara Smith, Chief Policy Officer for the Cook County Sheriff's Department.

Officials said the hostage-takers covered the floor with soapy water and obscured the fixed cameras in the housing tier, and eventually ripped the cameras down entirely.

"They used soap from the toilets to create very slippery conditions on the floor in the tier. Our staff retreated for their own protection," Smith said.

Jail officials say that a flash bomb was used to get into the area where the hostage was being held as he was stabbed in the leg. No staff were injured.

"One of the detainees went to injure the hostage by stabbing in his leg. Our staff was able to gain entrance using a distraction device," Smith said.