Weber Co. Jail Inmate Faces Assault Charges After Allegedly Stabbing Inmate

OGDEN, Utah — An inmate at the Weber County Jail faced a third-degree felony assault charge after police say he stabbed another inmate over his gang affiliation.

The incident happened on the morning of March 24, according to a probable cause statement.

Officials said the victim exited his dorm room and appeared to back away from 26-year-old Jesus Velazquez-Zamora when he was attacked.

“During the assault, Velazquez-Zamora produces a shank from his waistband and appears to stab or cut the victim on his chest in a jabbing motion,” read the statement.

After another inmate intervened, the shank ended up by the showers.

Deputies attempted to restrain the inmates, but Velazquez-Zamora resisted and demanded his glasses by the shower.

Velazquez-Zamora then attempted to pull one of the deputies in the direction of the jail showers, according to the probable cause statement, but a second deputy quickly used a takedown to subdue him.

The inmates were taken to medical to be assessed for their injuries, but the extent of their injuries was not immediately known.

Deputies then began to search for the weapon. With the assistance of a few inmates, they were able to find the weapon in the shower.

Velazquez-Zamora faces a charge of aggravated assault by prisoner, a second-degree felony, but according to the probable cause statement, the charge was upgraded to a third-degree felony because of the type of weapon that was used.

An update on the victim’s condition was not immediately available.