By Mike McHugh

The Daily News, Jacksonville, N.C.

ONSLOW COUNTY, N.C. — A man in jail on a murder charge is accused of shooting an Onslow County detention officer with a Taser inside the jail.

Joshua Cross, 22, formerly of Wolf Run Lane in Jacksonville, was charged Monday by the Onslow County Sheriff's Office with assault with a deadly weapon on a government official after allegedly taking a detention officer’s Taser and firing it at the officer before wrestling the jailer to the ground.

Officers were securing inmates in their cells Monday when the alleged attack occurred. According to OCSO Maj. Chris Thomas, two detention officers were placing Cross back into his cell when the inmate grabbed the Taser.

"He did shoot it at one of the officers but only one prong of the Taser struck the office in the arm. The other detention officer subdued Mr. Cross," Thomas said.

Thomas said the officer who was struck did not require hospitalization.

Taser is a brand name of an instrument that “discharges two small dart-like electrodes, which stay connected to the main unit by conductors, to deliver electric current to disrupt voluntary control of muscles,” according to the gun's manufacturer, Axon.

Cross’ bond for the newest charge is set at $30,000. At his first appearance Tuesday morning, Cross indicated he would hire his own attorney. He's next scheduled to appear in court on May 8 for this charge.

Cross has been in jail since he was charged with murder on Dec. 6, 2014, in relation to the fatal stabbing of his brother, 36-year-old Willie Grey, on Dec. 5, 2014. Cross was indicted on the murder charge on Oct. 13, 2016. Cross is being represented by Charlotte attorney Harold W. Cogdell Jr. and J.B. Askins is prosecuting the case.

Monday’s incident wasn’t Cross’ first alleged offense since being charged with murder. The Daily News previously reported that when Cross was brought into the courtroom on Sept. 14, he attempted to take the firearm from a bailiff’s belt. He was unsuccessful and no one was harmed.

©2018 The Daily News (Jacksonville, N.C.)