A bid by a prison inmate for freedom was short lived Thursday afternoon, while being treated at Salina Regional Health Center.

26-year-old Paul Stotts, who is an inmate at the Ellsworth Correctional Facility, tried to make it to freedom from a prison guard on the third floor of the hospital.

According to Salina Police Captain Mike Sweeney, Stotts pushed a nurse to the floor and began running down a 3rd floor hall just before 3 p.m.

The guard, with assistance from two nurses, was able to tackle Stotts – who tried to grab the gun of the guard. Salina Police arrived and assisted in placing handcuffs on Stotts before he was taken back to the Prison.

Stotts has been an inmate at the Ellsworth Prison since 2009 on convictions of intentional 2nd degree murder and drug charges from Reno County.

The nurse who was pushed down did receive bruises.  Captain Sweeney said charges of battery against Stotts are being requested.