A Holmes County inmate is dead after authorities said he was hit in the head by another inmate last week. Twenty-four year old Kelvin Hollimon died Wednesday, Dec. 30 at UMC Hospital in Jackson, a day after he was struck by what officials believe was a pad lock.
“We’re not sure, but that’s what we think it was,” Sheriff March said. “All the inmates have locks to lock up their personal items or whatever belongings they have. And it is a pretty good sized lock.”
Sheriff March said the incident occurred on Tuesday, Dec. 29, at the Holmes County jail on U.S. Highway 12 East in Lexington. March said Hollimon was in the E Zone area, with at least 50 other inmates, when it was reported that he was injured.
“We don’t know if there was an argument between the two of them or not,” March said. “But there was a guard watching that area, and it’s an open squad area. So, if there was a fight, the guard would have seen it. But it seems that just one lick was passed and it was so strong that it knocked [Holliman] out.”
Sheriff March said a nurse examined Hollimon in the jail’s holding area, and determined that he needed to be hospitalized. Hollimon was transferred to the UMC branch in Lexington by ambulance, and later airlifted to UMC in Jackson.
“Obviously it became more serious and he was transferred there,” March said. “But when it first happened, he got up and walked to the observation room and was talking to the nurse about his condition. She gave him an ice pack to put on his head and he said he felt alright.”
Authorities believe Hollimon was hit on the side of the head with the pad lock and fell backwards hitting his head on the concrete floor. March confirmed that Hollimon did have “a gash” on the back of his head, but he said Hollimon did not say who hit him.
Sheriff March said several inmates who witnessed the assault were questioned and later transferred to the Parchman facility during the investigation.
The suspect in the assault is currently being held in solitary confinement in Holmes County. Sheriff March would not release the inmate’s identity, but did say that he was incarcerated for a drug violation.
Hollimon was serving 14 years for burglary. Autopsy results on Hollimon are pending.
Be the first to comment