WASCO, Calif. (KERO) — A situation occurred where a correctional officer barricaded himself at the Wasco State Prison just after 9 p.m. on Fri, Jan 13.
According to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR), Correctional Officer Shawn Wilder barricaded himself in a building used to supervise inmates on the north side of the prison. Staff members were evacuated to a safe area as a crisis response team established communication with him.
Crisis response teams from Salinas Valley State Prison, Kern Valley State Prison, California State Prison, and many other prisons helped de-escalate the situation. Wilder was convinced to discard his weapon and surrender at 6:37 a.m. the next day. He was taken into custody at the Kern County Jail.
Wilder is charged with a felony for assault with a firearm and a felony for bringing drugs or alcohol into a prison. He is also charged with a misdemeanor for "exhibiting a firearm," according to the California Department of Corrections.
According to the CDCR, the incident is still under investigation.
