PATTONSBURG, Mo. (KCTV) – An inmate who previously threatened a mass shooting and attacked multiple correctional officers has been charged again, this time for an attempted escape.

Daviess County, Missouri, Circuit Court Records filed Monday, Nov. 4, indicate that Ronnie L. Rice, 53, of St. Joseph, an inmate serving time in the Daviess-Dekalb County Detention Center, was charged again, but this time in connection with an attempted escape.

The Daviess County Sheriff’s Office said that on Oct. 25, a corrections officer attempted to serve Rice dinner, however, he grabbed the tray and created a distraction while trying to open the cell door.

Law enforcement officials noted that Rice resisted all attempts to calm him down and close the cell’s food port door, but it eventually took two rounds of pepper spray to subdue him.

Investigators said Rice was charged in September with making terroristic threats after several notes containing derogatory remarks and threats to staff were found in his cell. He threatened to shoot and kill everyone who worked or was incarcerated in the facility.

In early October, Rice had been too charged in connection to the attack on two detention officers. Pepper spray was needed to subdue him and ensure officer safety.

Investigators noted that Rice tried to use his knowledge from his time as a detention officer to escape. In the end he didn’t succeed. Consequently, he was charged with attempted escape from prison and attempted assault.

As of Thursday, November 7, Rice remains behind bars. A hearing has not yet been scheduled in this case.

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