Louisiana State Penitentiary prisoners helped correctional officers catch a fellow inmate who attacked another officer in her Main Prison office this morning. Shortly after 7 a.m., the attacker, 52-year-old David Settlemeyer, struck the female correctional officer in the back of the head with a metal lawnmower wheel bracket, and a scuffle ensued. When Settlemeyer realized Angola officers were responding, he fled to another building. Several inmates alerted the responding officers to Settlemeyer's whereabouts, and helped catch him.
Settlemeyer is serving life at Louisiana State Penitentiary as an habitual offender for an August 14, 2001, solicitation for murder conviction out of Calcasieu Parish. Settlemeyer's criminal record includes other convictions out of Calcasieu Parish including simple kidnapping, July 27, 1987, and attempted second degree kidnapping, October 25, 1993.
The officer's injuries were non-life threatening. An investigation is underway, and may reveal more details as to the inmate's motive. Charges may be pending.