June 28, 2018 - The Center Police Department sent out the below press release regarding the fire on Tuesday, June 26th at the Police Department.
On June 26, 2018 at approximately 7:00 pm, an inmate (Katina Marshay Evans) had been incarcerated at the Center Police Department Jail for a Misdemeanor C, Public Intoxication. Evans apparently had smuggled a cigarette lighter into her cell and lit a small fire using toilet paper and towels. The fire was quickly extinguished by PD Dispatcher Karen Shields. Fortunately, the fire had caused minimal damage. All inmates were evacuated to fresh air and were evaluated by ACE EMS. Meanwhile, the Center Voluntary Fire Department arrived at the scene, assessed the incident and ventilated the jail.
As Katina Evans was being escorted to safety, she attempted to escape by running from the jail, through the back door and toward the rear parking lot entrance. She was quickly detained by Sgt Knowlton and Officer Maegan Wright where the Taser was deployed but did not penetrate her clothing.
Other than the Misdemeanor Evans was facing, she is now charged with Arson- Felony 2 and Escape while Arrested or Confined- Felony 3. Evans is currently on probation through Shelby County.
June 27, 2018 - The Center Police Department (CPD) was the scene of an apparent fire Tuesday, June 26, 2018 when the Center Fire Department was dispatched to it.
Upon arrival at the police department, Shelby County Today witnessed an inmate in an orange jump suit who was on the ground and who had been tazed. ACE EMS ambulance personnel were at the police department and checked the inmate for any injury.
Meanwhile, firemen were inside the police department with a ventilation fan evacuating the building of smoke. Observed on the ground outside the side entrance to the police department was a scorched roll of toilet paper that was still smoking.
After the firemen cleared the building of smoke, they returned to the station.
At this time additional information is pending from the police department as to what happened.
