This is the moment a wheelchair-bound inmate being transferred to a courthouse to face trial for robbery manages to wrestle the gun away from a prison guard before his escape is thwarted by the guard’s colleague, who shoots him.

The Illinois State Police’s (ISP) District 13 DuQuoin released the footage of Frederick Goss, 55, wrestling a correctional officer for his gun in the Jefferson County Courthouse in Mt. Vernon, Illinois on 29th October.

The correctional officer was helping Goss into his wheelchair in the Courthouse’s car park when the incident took place on 26th October.

As seen in the footage, Goss waited until the officer was standing at the perfect angle for him to be able to reach the sidearm.

Goss grabs the weapon but the officer fights back and the pair begin to wrestle on the ground as they try to get a firm grip on the gun.

Eventually, Goss comes out on top and puts enough distance between himself and the officer to point the gun at him and make him back away.

Goss then attempts to stand up but he is unable to do so and ends up stumbling around the garage clumsily while waving the pistol around.

A Jefferson County Sheriff’s deputy saw what was unfolding in the garage on a security camera feed and rushed to the aid of his colleague.

The deputy enters the garage with his gun drawn and lets off one round, which hits Goss, who immediately drops the gun he took from the deputy’s colleague.

Goss was transferred to a hospital in the nearby St Louis area for treatment.

The IFP said in a statement: “Preliminary information indicates, a Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office correctional officer was transporting Fredrick Goss, a 55-year-old male inmate, to the courtroom for a jury trial. While in the sally port of the courthouse, Goss was unhandcuffed by the correctional officer, as Goss was not to appear before the jury in restraints.

“After the handcuffs were removed, Goss was transferred from the transport vehicle into a wheelchair. While in the wheelchair, Goss grabbed the correctional officer’s sidearm and after a struggle, disarmed the correctional officer. During the continued struggle for the firearm, a round was discharged.

“A Jefferson County Sherriff’s Deputy assigned to court house security observed the incident on the sally port surveillance camera and went to the sally port to aid the Correctional Officer. The Deputy discharged his firearm striking Goss.”

The Illinois State police said that an investigation into the incident is being conducted by the Jefferson County State’s Attorney Office, adding: “Members of Goss’ family have been afforded the opportunity to view the video prior to this release. This remains an ongoing investigation conducted by ISP DCI Zone 7 and is under review by the Jefferson County State’s Attorney Office (JCSA).”

The ISP added that Goss was on his way to face trial for allegedly robbing a gas station.

No further information on Goss’ health status was provided in the statement and his current condition is unknown.