DOC prison guard taken hostage

A Department of Corrections female officer is unharmed after being held hostage Monday at the Arizona Department of Corrections Mohave Unit of the Douglas Complex.

According to reports the incident lasted about 30 minutes.

Marcus A. Davis, a 41 year old inmate who is serving a life sentence for first degree murder and armed robbery out of Maricopa County, was meeting with his case manager when he grabbed her and claimed to have a knife to the back of her neck.

The officer picked up her radio and Davis told her to call for the person in charge and for the Special Weapons and Tactics teams to respond.

Department of Corrections spokesman Bill Lamoreaux stated the unit deputy warden walked into the office where Davis was holding the corrections officer hostage and after about 15 minutes Davis released the officer.

The alleged knife Davis held later turned out to be a pen.

Davis is now awaiting psychological assessment.

The DOC spokesman said the investigation is continuing but the incident appears to have been a “suicide by cop” attempt.