Staff report | @KyKernel

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Two UK employees are in fair condition after being beat with a fire extinguisher early Thursday morning at the Thomas Poe Cooper Building on Rose Street, according to UK Police.

UK Police Chief Joe Monroe said Chase Jackson, 23, was arrested and charged with two counts of first-degree assault, two counts of third-degree assault of a police officer, two counts of first-degree burglary, and one charge of resisting arrest.

Jackson entered the building asking a forestry department employee if he could use the phone, Monroe said. As he was leaving, Jackson allegedly attacked a custodial worker in the hallway with a fire extinguisher that he had taken off the wall.

The forestry department employee locked herself in her office and called 911, the police chief said.

Jackson then kicked in the door and began beating the woman with the fire extinguisher. He was “trying to do grave bodily harm to them,” Monroe said.

Police received a call at 7:22 a.m. that there was an assault in progress at the forestry building on Rose Street and Huguelet Avenue. Monroe said police had arrested Jackson within two and a half minutes of being summoned.

“When our officers arrived, he was still in the process of assaulting the employee with the fire extinguisher,” Monroe said.

Jackson allegedly assaulted the two police officers as they quickly arrested him, Monroe said.

The two victims were taken to the UK Chandler Hospital after the assault, with non life-threatening injuries, he said.

Jackson has extensive criminal history in multiple counties, including Fayette and Scott counties, Monroe said.

Jackson is not affiliated with the university, and the motive for the attacks is unknown, the police chief said.