A chaotic and tragic scene unfolded this week when a federal inmate stole a jail officer’s gun, shot and killed him, hijacked a nearby vehicle, and led law enforcement on a multi-county chase, authorities say.
Kelvin Simmons, 48, was transported to an orthopaedic clinic in Cherokee County, North Carolina, on Monday by Cherokee County Detention Officers Francisco Flattes and George Fienauer for undisclosed medical treatment.
During the visit, Simmons “overpowered” the officers, stole Flattes’ gun, and shot him, according to Cherokee County Sheriff Dustin Smith.
“After the shooting, Simmons fled into the clinic parking lot and commandeered a vehicle that had just arrived on the scene,” the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office reported.
The defendant then led deputies and the North Carolina Highway Patrol on a lengthy pursuit east through Clay County into Macon County, where he was apprehended about an hour later, according to law enforcement.
“After a brief standoff, Simmons was taken into custody by the Macon County Sheriff’s Office,” the sheriff’s department stated.
Flattes, 56, died of his wounds. Smith stated that Simmons will be charged with first-degree murder. Fienauer, the other officer, reportedly suffered injuries during the altercation, but not from gunshots.
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“This is the hardest day of my career, we are all mourning the loss of Francisco and doing everything we can to support each other and the family and loved ones of Officer Flattes,” Smith told reporters.
Simmons was already in jail on bank robbery charges, according to the sheriff, and he was also awaiting charges for a previous escape attempt from last October. Additional charges beyond first-degree murder are expected to be filed soon.
A 911 call made during Monday’s “violent altercation” sheds light on what occurred.
According to Asheville-based ABC affiliate WLOS, an unidentified caller at the medical facility told the 911 operator that a patient had a gun during a roughly six-minute call.
“He’s shooting off in the lobby?” the operator enquired, to which the caller replied, “Yes.”
“He’s got a hostage!” the caller said a short time later, identifying Simmons as the patient dressed in a grey jumpsuit.
When Simmons allegedly escaped from the building, the caller reported seeing him approaching a vehicle.
The caller exclaimed, “He’s robbing her!” “He’s getting in a Chevy — a black Chevy car.”
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Flatts’ wife also works for the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office. He is survived by his wife, children, and numerous grandchildren, according to authorities.
Cherokee County is North Carolina’s westernmost county and borders Tennessee. It has a population of approximately 30,000.
