A Henry County jail officer is recovering at home after being stabbed with shanks by two inmates as he was conducting a nightly lockdown Wednesday evening, the sheriff’s office said.

The officer, who suffered minor injuries, was treated and released from the hospital, according to a news release. The sheriff’s office said he defended himself, forcing one inmate into a cell and containing the other until additional officers arrived.

“Despite the sudden attack, he demonstrated remarkable courage and resourcefulness,” the sheriff’s office said.

The inmates, identified as Dontavious Young and William Latham, will be charged with aggravated assault of a correctional officer, obstruction of a law enforcement officer, aggravated battery and unauthorized possession of a weapon by an inmate.

“We will not tolerate this type of behavior, particularly a cowardly act of violence against staff,” Sheriff Reginald Scandrett said in a statement. “I will ensure that these inmates are charged and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

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In 2022, Georgia Power projected its winter peak electricity demand would grow by about 400 megawatts by 2031. Since then, Georgia has experienced a boom of data centers, which require a large load of electricty to run, and Georgia Power's recent forecast shows peak demand growing by 20 times the 400-megawatt estimate from just three years ago. (Illustration by Philip Robibero/AJC)

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