Rhonda Jean Russell, a 47-year-old female corrections officer, died on November 17, 2021, following a tragic series of events at the Central Court building in Altoona, Pennsylvania. A sixteen-year veteran of the Blair County Prison, she was overseeing inmates scheduled for court hearings. On that day, an inmate named Christopher Aikens was awaiting a preliminary hearing on gun and drug charges.
While left alone with five male inmates, Russell was attacked by Aikens after one of his handcuffs was removed so he could use the restroom. Aikens managed to disarm Officer Russell and take her firearm, initiating a hostage situation. An Altoona police officer, Sergeant George Bistline, who was present in the court building, responded to the altercation. As Bistline confronted Aikens, the inmate used Russell as a human shield. The officer fired his weapon at the suspect, but the round struck Officer Russell. She was transported to UPMC Altoona, where she succumbed to her injuries.
In the aftermath, Christopher Aikens was taken into custody and faced multiple charges, including second-degree murder and murder of a law enforcement officer. In October 2023, Aikens pleaded guilty to all charges related to the death of Rhonda Russell. He was subsequently sentenced to life in prison for the murder, with an additional 60 to 120 years for other charges, including disarming a law enforcement officer, robbery, kidnapping, and escape.
The Blair County District Attorney later ruled that the police sergeant who fired the fatal shot was justified in his use of deadly force. The incident also prompted a review of security procedures at the courthouse. The estate of Rhonda Russell has since filed a civil rights lawsuit against Blair County, prison and sheriff's department personnel, and the city of Altoona, alleging that Russell was not informed that Aikens had recently attempted to escape from the Blair County Prison.
