AG charges inmate with attempted murder after attack on officer

Clallam Bay corrections officer suffered traumatic brain injury from attack

PORT ANGELES — The Attorney General’s Office filed second-degree attempted murder charges today in Clallam County Superior Court against a state prison inmate after an assault left a corrections officer with a traumatic brain injury.

The charges are only allegations. A person is presumed innocent unless and until he or she is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

The Attorney General’s Office alleges Abdinjib Ibraham attacked Corrections Officer Terry Breedlove in 2016 with a metal stool seat from his cell at Clallam Bay Corrections Center. Breedlove survived the assault, but suffered significant injuries.

“Washington corrections officers watch over some of the state’s most dangerous individuals and help keep us all safe,” Ferguson said. “I’m committed to bringing justice to Officer Breedlove in this case.”

John Scearcy, Secretary-Treasurer of Teamsters 117, which represents state corrections employees, applauded the Attorney General’s decision.

“The brutal attack on Officer Breedlove must be punished to the fullest extent of the law,” Scearcy said. “Corrections employees put their lives on the line to serve and protect communities across Washington State. We must continue to work to improve staff safety in our state’s prisons.”

On the morning of Jan. 25, 2016, Ibraham allegedly approached Officer Breedlove from behind in a prison unit day room, and used a 6-pound metal stool seat from his cell to repeatedly strike the officer in the head until he was unconscious.

Officer Breedlove sustained injuries to his head and face, and continues to suffer memory loss, headaches, blurred vision and impaired balance. Doctors have diagnosed him with concussive syndrome and a traumatic brain injury.

Ibraham remains in prison due to a prior conviction and is scheduled to be released in 2021.

Second-degree attempted murder is a Class A felony with a maximum sentence of life in prison and up to a $50,000 fine.

The Attorney General's Office is prosecuting the case following a referral from and with the cooperation of the Clallam County Prosecutor's Office.

The lead prosecutor is Assistant Attorney General John Hillman.

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The Office of the Attorney General is the chief legal office for the state of Washington with attorneys and staff in 27 divisions across the state providing legal services to roughly 200 state agencies, boards and commissions. Visit www.atg.wa.gov to learn more.

Contacts:

Brionna Aho, Communications Director, (360) 753-2727; brionna.aho@atg.wa.gov