Inmate tunnels through wall, stabs man in neighboring cell, prison officials say

A Georgia inmate tunneled through a wall in a jail facility in Fulton County, Georgia, in an attempt to harm a man in a neighboring cell, law enforcement said.

Kavian Thomas allegedly dug a hole through a wall in a shower stall at Rice Street jail on May 17, granting him access to the adjacent cell block. He then launched an attack on Derondney Russell, another inmate Fulton County Sheriff's Office said in a press release Thursday.

Thomas stabbed Russell multiple times once he successfully entered Russell's cell, according to the release. Russell sustained "superficial stab wounds to his upper body" and was treated in the medical unit of the jail for his injuries, officials said

After the incident, officers checked both cells and discovered several weapons in both cells, some made "from parts of the dilapidated building infrastructure" according to the release.

"This jail has clearly outlived its useful life," interim Fulton County Jail commander Curtis Clark said in the press release. "That reality makes it even more challenging for us to do our job providing the safest possible environment, not only for staff but for the inmates as well."

The sheriff's office said Thomas will face additional criminal charges for the attack.

Thomas was previously charged with theft of stolen property, possession/transport of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession of marijuana, according to court records.