An inmate at Rikers Island, Shemar Hassani-Shaw, is facing multiple charges after allegedly slashing a correction officer across the face last December, in what has been described as an unprovoked attack; the Bronx District Attorney's Office has issued an indictment. According to a press release from the office of Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark, obtained by the Bronx District Attorney's Office, the defendant is charged with Attempted Assault in the first degree among other charges.
Upon his arraignment, Hassani-Shaw faced a litany of charges including two counts of Attempted Assault in the first-degree, Attempted Assault in the second-degree and three counts of second-degree Assault, the incident having been recorded on video surveillance at the Otis Bantum Correctional Center, on the morning of December 3, 2025, it's where the officer sustained a serious laceration to his cheek which was treated at a local hospital. "Violence of any kind in jail will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law," District Attorney Clark stated, highlighting the severity with which such acts are regarded, as per the Bronx District Attorney's Office.
In addition to the aforementioned charges, the indictment includes two counts of first-degree Promoting Prison Contraband, two counts of second-degree Promoting Prison Contraband, Obstructing Governmental Administration, third-degree Assault, and two counts of fourth-degree Criminal Possession of a Weapon, bail for Hassani-Shaw was continued at $100,000 cash or $300,000 bond, as stated in the indictment. The inmate is scheduled for his next court appearance on March 11, 2026, according to the court documents released.
Lynelle Maginley-Liddie, Commissioner of the New York City Department of Correction, underscored the commitment of correction officers to their duty in maintaining order and safety within the facility, asserting that "DOC's dedicated Correction Officers come to work each day committed to maintaining the dignity, humanity, and safety of everyone living and working in our facilities," in a statement which expressed gratitude towards the Bronx District Attorney's Office for its rigorous pursuit of the case and reiterated support for the affected officer according to the announcement, as this reflects a continuing stance against violence targeted at correctional staff.
The prosecution of the case is under the concerted efforts of the Rikers Island Prosecution Bureau, notably Assistant District Attorney Nilani Ekanayake, Deputy Chief Edward Christian Uy, Chef Jose Arocho, and also involving supervisors from the Investigations Division, Denise Kodjo and Wanda Perez-Maldonado. The Bronx DA's office also acknowledged the assistance of Trial Preparation Assistant Supervisor Netanya Pierrot and Tamara Hall from the related prosecution bureau, along with Investigators Epifanio Vasquez, Jeffrey Rios, and Walter Holmes from the Department of Correction's Central Intelligence Bureau for their contributions to the ongoing investigation.
