Jail Officer Stabbed In Neck By Inmate In Fulton: Sheriff

ATLANTA, GA — A Fulton County Jail detention officer who was recently stabbed in the neck by an 18-year-old inmate with a shank is expected to recover, the Fulton County Sheriff's Office said Monday.

Authorities said the stabbing happened around 11:30 a.m. Saturday. It came after the officer requested Bakari Stokes-Martin remove a blanket that had been covering his upper body during free time, authorities said.

Stokes-Martin, who allegedly became agitated, was accused of then charging the officer with a shank that had been concealed under the blanket.

Authorities said Stokes-Martin stabbed the officer with the homemade weapon at least twice in the neck, behind his left ear.

The officer was then taken to a hospital, where he underwent emergency surgery and is currently in stable condition, authorities said. He is expected to recover.

Five shanks were found on Stokes-Martin's person during a search, authorities said.

Stokes-Martin was charged on suspicion of three counts of aggravated assault against law enforcement officer when engaged on official duty, four counts of possession of a firearm or knife during commission of or attempt to commit certain felonies, five counts of possession of dangerous weapon or drugs by inmate and willful obstruction of law enforcement officers by use of threats or violence.

Atlanta Police on Feb. 10, 2024 originally arrested Stokes-Martin and charged him on suspicion of murder and other charges, authorities said. He was being held without bond, a ruling that continued Monday after a first appearance on the new charges.

“Thank you to the doctors and nurses at Grady Hospital as they have done a phenomenal job in caring for (the officer)," Fulton County Sheriff Patrick “Pat” Labat said in a news release. "He is in good spirits and hopefully going home soon. We are reminded of the dangers of this profession and I commend the brave women and men of the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office who come to work every single day. We have got to create a safe environment that includes a new facility and additional manpower.”

RELATED: Fulton Jail, Cops 'Routinely' Violate Inmates' Rights, DOJ Says

Safety at the Fulton County Jail has been a constant concern in recent years, more specifically for that of the inmates.

In December 2024, after a Department of Justice found the jail had been "routinely" violating inmates' rights, Labat said it is a "failing building" and "the lack of adequate staffing" that powers the unrest and vandalism at the county jail.

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"The Fulton County Sheriff’s Office deeply appreciates the DOJ’s report and the critical insights it provides. Since the investigation began in July 2023, we have worked diligently to address and resolve many of the issues highlighted that fall within our authority. We take all the recommendations in the report very seriously and remain committed to working alongside federal, state, and local partners to implement meaningful long-term reforms, reduce resident populations responsibly, and address systemic issues highlighted in the report.

"The safety, dignity, and well-being of every individual in our care are our highest priorities. We are dedicated to collaborating closely with the Board of Commissioners and other partners to rectify the challenges outlined in the report. Together, we will continue working toward solutions that uphold our shared values and foster trust within our community," the sheriff's office stated at the time.