Inmate shot and killed in escape attempt

North Carolina Department of Public Safety

Michael F. Easley Governor		Theodis Beck Secretary
North Carolina Department of Correction

For Release: IMMEDIATE	Contact: Keith Acree
Date: May 8, 2002	Phone: (919) 716-3727

Inmate shot and killed in escape attempt

BOLTON – Inmate James W. Kuhns, 43, was shot and killed this morning when he attempted to run from a road squad that was picking up trash in Columbus County.

The incident happened at 9:20 a.m. Two armed correctional officers were supervising eight medium-custody inmates working along U.S. Highway 74/76 near Bolton. Both of the officers fired their shotguns at Kuhns after he broke from the squad and ran into the nearby woods.

The State Bureau of Investigation is investigating the incident, which is standard procedure for an officer-involved shooting.

Kuhns was serving 5 years and 10 months in prison for 2^nd degree kidnapping and common law robbery. He was convicted in Wilkes County in February 1999. His projected release date was October 24, 2003. He was assigned to Columbus Correctional Insitution in Brunswick, a medium security prison housing about 690 inmates.


Public Information Office 4202 Mail Service Center Raleigh NC 27699-4202 (919) 716-3700 Fax: (919) 716-3795	Pamela Walker Director