A criminal complaint is providing more details about what led to a shooting Wednesday at the Blair County Central Court building that claimed the life of a corrections officer. Authorities were called to the court facility, located at 615 4th Street, just after 3 p.m. for reports of shots fired and an officer down. Crews responded to find that 47-year-old Rhonda Russell had been shot in the holding area. Officials say she taken to UPMC Altoona, where she was pronounced dead. State police say they’ve since charged 54-year-old Christopher Aikens with murder of the second degree and murder of a law enforcement officer of the second degree. Troopers say Aikens was able to take Russell’s gun and began holding her hostage. That’s when another officer tried to help, fired a shot and accidently hit Russell. The police officer who fired the fatal shot has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the state police led investigation.
