Inmate dies following fight at Toronto jail
Posted January 27, 2017 5:34 am.
Last Updated January 27, 2017 6:53 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
A 22-year-old inmate has been charged with second-degree murder in the death of another inmate after a fight at the Toronto South Detention Centre.
The fight started in the cells around 6:15 p.m. Thursday just before a shift change, a police spokesperson told CityNews.
Victor Ogundipe, 41 — who had been detained on a mischief charge for reportedly throwing rocks at a neighbour’s window — had recently returned from court and had been placed in the detention centre’s intake unit. He was to be assessed for security classification along with Jalani Hibbert, 22.
The fight between the two Toronto men happened after officers had completed their rounds and inmates on work-duty were cleaning the common area after dinner.
Officers noticed a group of workers surrounding the cell and went to investigate. That’s when corrections staff learned of the fight and called out a code blue (all hands on deck). Shortly after, sources say a medical alert was called and health care staff tended to the man.
At that point, the victim was still alive.
Paramedics were quickly called and continued to treat the victim while transporting him to hospital. He was later pronounced dead.
Hibbert was due to appear in court on Friday afternoon.
Statement from the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services
The ministry can confirm that an inmate from TSDC passed away at hospital last night. The inmate was transported to hospital by ambulance earlier in the evening. It would be inappropriate for the ministry to comment further as the matter is under investigation. Should the Coroner’s death investigation determine that the inmate’s death was anything other than natural causes, a mandatory inquest will be held. Should the death be deemed due to natural causes, the Coroner may call an inquest at their own discretion.
