By RICHARD C. LEWIS
Associated Press Writer
SCITUATE, R.I. - Security has been tightened around the man accused of killing a Providence police officer after the suspect allegedly lured prison guards into his cell and attacked them, authorities said Wednesday.
One guard was hospitalized Tuesday night with a broken jaw, bruised eye socket and neck injuries and two others were treated for minor injuries, police said.
Esteban Carpio, 26, will now be handcuffed at all times within his cell and will be escorted by guards when he goes to the shower, the only time he is allowed to leave his cell, Corrections Department spokeswoman Joy Fox said.
Tuesday evening, guards noticed Carpio was trying to swallow his blanket in his cell, and was handcuffed. Carpio was “nice and calm” when the first officer entered his cell, said Maj. Steven O’Donnell, a spokesman with the state police.
But then he allegedly lashed out, striking the guard with an uppercut to the face as his fists were still handcuffed, O’Donnell said. He allegedly fought with two others before being subdued with pepper spray, then spat in another officer’s face after being brought to a decontamination unit.
“We believe (Carpio) lured them in, and did what he did,” O’Donnell said.
O’Donnell alleged Carpio had been “acting out” recently, including clogging a toilet and chewing up mattresses. He said police planned to charge him with additional felony counts.
Carpio has been held since April 17, when he was arrested for allegedly killing Detective Sgt. James Allen at Providence police headquarters with Allen’s own gun. He is charged with a single murder count and has not entered a plea.
Carpio’s family has said he suffers from mental problems.