A disagreement between two inmates at the Wayne Brown Correctional Facility in California over what to watch on television led to a fight Tuesday evening.
Inmate Ronald Shima, 38, was eventually taken to a Roseville hospital with possible brain injuries. At about 9 p.m., several inmates in a jail housing area, including Shima, were watching television. Another inmate, 19-year-old Ernest Dotson, apparently challenged Shima and another inmate over what was on the television, Sheriff's Lt. Gary Smith said.
Dotson, a ward of the California Youth Authority's Washington Ridge camp, has been held at Wayne Brown since reportedly assaulting a correctional officer and trying to escape from the camp.
As soon as Shima stood up in protest over the TV argument, Dotson reportedly punched him in the head. Shima temporarily lost consciousness.
The punch was seen by an officer, who immediately called for reinforcement, Smith said. The area was locked down, but no force was needed to regain control of the housing area, he said.
Shima was taken to Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital by jail staff but then transferred to Sutter Roseville Medical Center for testing with a neurosurgeon. The extent of his injuries was not known, Smith said. While there, Shima will be guarded by jail staff.
After the fight, Dotson was moved to an isolation chamber, Smith said. He may be charged with battery causing serious bodily injury.