A deadly attack inside Colorado’s Bent County Correctional Facility has come under renewed scrutiny after newly released dispatch records showed that prison officials waited more than two hours to request an ambulance for a critically injured inmate.
While two prisoners died in the incident, a third inmate survived and was later transported to an outside medical facility. The records have prompted questions about the emergency response timeline and prison procedures at the privately operated facility.
Incident
The attack occurred on the night of June 6 at the Bent County Correctional Facility in southeastern Colorado. The prison is operated by private corrections company CoreCivic under contract with the Colorado Department of Corrections (CDOC).
According to dispatch records obtained through an open records request, prison staff contacted the Bent County Sheriff’s Office shortly after 11 p.m. after discovering that three inmates were missing during a routine prisoner count.
At the time, officials were unsure whether the inmates had escaped or were hiding somewhere inside the prison.
Search
Law enforcement agencies launched a search around the prison shortly after receiving the report. Sheriff’s deputies secured the facility’s perimeter while drones and ground teams searched for any indication of an escape.
Deputies also checked nearby areas after noticing a vehicle with its door open. Search dogs were requested to assist with the operation.
Prison Warden Steven Brown arrived at the facility at approximately 11:52 p.m. as the search continued.
Alert
At 12:45 a.m., the Bent County Sheriff’s Office issued an emergency cellphone alert advising residents within a 10 to 15-mile radius of the prison to shelter in place.
The alert stated that officials had found no evidence of a security breach but were taking precautionary measures because of an internal administrative discrepancy at the facility.
Authorities continued searching nearby fields while monitoring the prison grounds.
Discovery
The three missing inmates were located at approximately 1:26 a.m. on June 7.
Officials discovered that two prisoners had died during the attack, while a third inmate had survived with serious injuries.
The deceased inmates were identified as 59-year-old Michael Fisher and 27-year-old Charles Gates.
Investigators have identified two suspects in the killings, but neither individual has been publicly named or formally charged.
Timeline
The dispatch records provide the most detailed public account of the events that unfolded during the incident.
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| 11:16 p.m. | Sheriff’s Office notified about missing prisoners |
| 11:52 p.m. | Warden Steven Brown arrived at the prison |
| 12:45 a.m. | Shelter-in-place alert issued for nearby residents |
| 1:26 a.m. | Three missing prisoners found |
| 1:37 a.m. | Bent County coroner dispatched |
| 3:37 a.m. | Ambulance requested for surviving inmate |
The records show that the Bent County coroner was dispatched about 10 minutes after the missing inmates were found. However, an ambulance was not requested until more than two hours later.
Ambulance
Dispatch notes indicate that emergency responders were informed the injured inmate still had vital signs.
According to the records, dispatchers were told that the patient was “one of the victims from the earlier altercation” and “does have vitals.”
Officials also discussed the possibility of requesting an emergency medical helicopter after the ambulance was called.
It remains unclear who confirmed that the inmate was alive or whether prison medical staff provided treatment before emergency responders arrived.
Investigation
The Colorado Department of Corrections has released limited information about the attack.
The agency has not publicly identified the surviving inmate and has declined to provide updates on the person’s medical condition, citing medical privacy laws.
Officials have also not released a detailed timeline explaining how the attack unfolded inside the prison.
The dispatch records currently provide the clearest public account of the sequence of events.
Response
CoreCivic confirmed that it has launched an internal review while the criminal investigation continues.
Company spokesperson Ryan Gustin said operational leaders and subject matter experts are working with the Colorado Department of Corrections to examine the incident.
He added that no further information would be released while the investigation remains active.
Colorado Department of Corrections spokeswoman Alondra Gonzalez has not provided additional details regarding the delayed ambulance request or the medical care provided to the surviving inmate.
Questions
The dispatch records have raised questions about the emergency response procedures followed after the inmates were found.
The timeline shows that the coroner was dispatched well before an ambulance, despite one inmate still being alive.
Investigators are continuing to examine both the fatal attack and the emergency response that followed. The internal review by CoreCivic is also expected to assess whether prison policies and emergency procedures were followed appropriately.
As the investigations continue, officials have not announced when additional findings or reports may be released.
FAQs
When did the Colorado prison attack happen?
The attack occurred on the night of June 6, 2026.
How many inmates died in the attack?
Two inmates were killed and one survived.
When was the ambulance requested?
An ambulance was dispatched at 3:37 a.m.
Who operates Bent County Correctional Facility?
The prison is operated by CoreCivic.
Is the investigation still ongoing?
Yes, criminal and internal investigations continue.
