4:30 p.m. UPDATE: Kentucky State Police have arrested the female passenger from the earlier vehicle collision. At just after noon today, as a result of the ongoing investigation, Bryonna I. Heath, 21, of Cincinnati, Ohio, was charged with first-degree escape and was lodged in the Caldwell County Jail. At the time of her arrest, she was also served an outstanding bench warrant for failure to appear in a 2016 Campbell County case.
The continuing investigation has shown that immediately after the collision, Antonio S. Wofford (the involved inmate), 26, originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, attempted to further his escape by fleeing on foot. He was attempting to climb a stone wall when he was shot by a corrections officer on scene.
Wofford has been transferred to a Louisville hospital, where he is still being treated for non-life threatening injuries.
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ORIGINAL RELEASE
EDDYVILLLE — Kentucky State Police are on scene at the Kentucky State Penitentiary, investigating a series of incidents the occurred early this morning.
Just after 7 a.m., KSP Dispatch received a call reporting a single vehiclecollision on Highway 730 near the Kentucky State Penitentiary. Prior to the arrival of a trooper, KSP Dispatch received information that the collision was possibly related to an escape.
Preliminary investigation has shown the vehicle involved in the collision was being operated by a minimum custody inmate, and was also occupied by a female and a small child. The vehicle was a 2003 red Nissan passenger car. After the collision, shots were fired by a Kentucky State Penitentiary Corrections Officer and the inmate was injured.
The female passenger in the vehicle and the small child were taken by ambulance to Caldwell County Hospital for treatment of injuries related to the collision. Both have been treated and released.
The inmate was transported by ambulance to a local hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries received during the shooting.
The Kentucky State Penitentiary has confirmed all other inmates are accounted for. They also have confirmed the facility is secure. The minimum custody inmate involved was assigned to a work detail outside the maximum security portion of the Penitentiary. This incident is believed to be isolated and there does not appear to be any ongoing additional threat to the surrounding community.
The Kentucky State Police remain on scene and have been assisted by Kentucky State Penitentiary personnel, Lyon County Sheriff’s Department, Eddyville Police Department, Lyon County Ambulance Service, Lyon County Rescue, Eddyville Fire Department, Kuttawa Fire Department, and the State Highway Department.
The investigation is continuing by the Kentucky State Police Critical Incident Response Team. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Kentucky State Police Post 1 at 270-856-3721 or anonymously at 1-800-222-5555.