A critical incident reported by the Illinois State Police Department shows the terrifying moments a handicapped inmate disarmed a correctional officer in a desperate attempt to avoid jury trial.

On October 29th, 2021, a correctional officer was transporting an inmate to court just before 1 p.m. for a jury trial. Fredrick Goss, the 55-year-old inmate was to appear before the jury unrestrained. As shown in the surveillance footage, Goss was in fact unrestrained as he and the correctional officer entered the sally port in the courthouse basement.

While assisting Goss, the correctional officer became complacent, leaving his firearm exposed within arms reach of Goss. Seizing the opportunity, Goss grabbed the correctional officers firearm, where a struggle began. During the continued struggle for the gun, it was reported that Goss discharged a round, nearly hitting the correctional officer.

A deputy inside the courthouse witnessed the attack on the courthouse video surveillance system and rushed to the sally port located in the basement. Upon reaching the basement, Goss aimed the obtained firearm at the doorway. In response, the deputy fired to protect himself and the correctional officer. As a result, Goss threw the firearm, ending the entire situation.

Goss was taken to a local hospital and then to a St. Louis hospital for treatment. The condition of Goss at this time is unknown. The correctional officer that was attacked suffered minor injuries that were treated at a nearby hospital where he was later released. The deputy was not hurt, but he was checked out at a local medical facility and then released.