Riverside County sheriff’s deputy stabs inmate who attempted to grab his gun during court hearing

A Riverside County sheriff’s deputy stabbed an inmate who attempted to grab the gun from his holster during a court hearing on Wednesday, authorities said.

Joseph Bashor, 20, of San Bernardino was waiting for his case to be called at the Banning Justice Center and had become uncooperative, deputies said. Bashor, who was wearing restraints, grabbed the deputy’s holstered gun and tried to disarm him, they said.

The deputy, whose name has not been released, stabbed Bashor once, authorities said.

The Sheriff’s Department would not comment on what kind of knife was used, though it confirmed Friday afternoon that the agency does not issue knives to its deputies.

Bashor was taken to a hospital and was discharged the same day. The deputy was placed on paid administrative leave as required by department policy.

Bashor was in custody on suspicion of robbery and assault with a deadly weapon, and he will face additional charges for attempting to disarm a peace officer, authorities said. His next court date, according to jail records, is Oct. 21.