A maximum-custody inmate in the Arizona Department of Corrections, Timothy Monk, took a male library employee hostage at around 8:15 a.m., on Wednesday. Monk used a prison-made blade-type weapon in an apparent demand to leave the complex.
According to the Arizona Department of Corrections, Tactical Support Unit (TSU) personnel were immediately deployed on-site and contained the situation to a room within the law library.
Shortly after 10:30 a.m., “TSU personnel deployed a diversionary device into the library and used less-than-lethal force on the inmate, while our team successfully secured the safety of our employee. The inmate was immediately taken into custody. No injuries were sustained during the incident,” according to the Arizona Department of Corrections.
“Protecting the safety and welfare of our employees is paramount,” said ADC Director Charles L. Ryan. “We are grateful this was resolved safely and quickly. Our team acted with great professionalism to bring about the best possible outcome, ensuring that our employee was unharmed.”
Monk is currently serving 97 years in prison. He came to ADC in 1988 when he was sentenced out of Maricopa County for armed robbery, sexual assault and kidnapping. He was later convicted out of Pima County in 2006 for aggravated assault, kidnapping, promoting prison contraband and sexual assault while incarcerated at the Tucson prison complex.
Monk will face new charges.