Wake jail inmate critically injured in altercation with detention officer

Shon Demetrius McClain, 40, was being treated at WakeMed for a broken neck in the Tuesday night dispute, sources told WRAL News.

Capt. Jimmy Stevens, a public information officer with the Wake County Sheriff's Office, however, would not comment on the injury, saying only that McClain was injured after assaulting officer Markeith Council.

McClain had been in jail awaiting a June 27 court date on misdemeanor charges of possession of drug paraphernalia and consuming a malt beverage on city property.

Council, who is recovering from his injuries at home, has been a detention officer with the jail since 2009.

Stevens said no disciplinary action has been taken yet against Council, and Wake County District Attorney Colon Willoughby said he is awaiting a report from the State Bureau of Investigation to determine if any charges should be filed in the case.

Willoughby said Tuesday's altercation is the second of its kind at the jail in as many weeks.

On May 28, an inmate was involved in a scuffle with detention officer Jamall Covington, but there were no serious injuries.

Covington was fired Wednesday for conduct unbecoming of an officer, Stevens said.

Willoughby said he is awaiting the results of an investigation to determine whether the officer's use of force was justified.

Stevens would not comment on the case involving Covington, saying it is a personnel issue.