ROSS COUNTY, OH — A Ross County correctional officer was tragically killed on Christmas morning after being attacked by an inmate at the Ross County Correctional (RCI). According to sources, Correction Officer Andy Lansing, who was working overtime during the holiday shift, was assaulted by an inmate.
The attack occurred early Christmas Day, and Lansing was found severely injured at the scene. He was quickly transported to a local hospital in critical condition. Despite efforts to save him, Officer Lansing later succumbed to his injuries, but this was not the first time the CO had issues with the inmate.
Rashawn Cannon, 27 has been incarcerated for a year in Ross County for Felonious assault and having a weapon under disability. He was serving six years in prison with his expected parole date of 08/05/2030.
A report independently received by Sciotopost speaks of an incident in April where Lansing filed a report on Cannon after giving Cannon a special privilege. According to the report filed on 4/09/24 Cannon had requested if he could use the phone due to a family emergency. Lansing had told the inmate that he would work on getting him access but due to the wifi being down and not being that groups turn on the phone, it may take some time.
Around 8 pm Lansing allowed Cannon out of his cell and allowed him to make his phone call. During his phone call Cannon started yelling and cursing over the phone and Lansing stood up and walked towards Cannon to deal with the situation that’s when Cannon supposively threatened the officer, “Fuck you, I Kill you,” he said. Lansing told him to quiet down several times then Cannon said, “the fucking white people is going to spray me, we do not have wifi you (talking to the people on the phone,) need to call down here now.” Lansing reported that several inmates then started crowding around because of the disturbance. Lansing said that he then made several direct orders to disperse and he allowed Cannon to finish his phone call then he directed Cannon to put his hands on the wall then he cuffed Cannon.
Inmate Cannon was charged with disobedience of an officer, threatening, and disrespect towards another person including instigation or perpetual fighting. In a court of law Cannon was found guilty of disobedience and of disrespect charges but not of the threatening charge due to not being able to determine if it was towards the CO or the person on the phone.
Currently, the Ohio Department of Corrections has not released the investigation and what led up to the murder of CO Lansing.
