News reports indicate that Christopher Aikens has pleaded guilty to second degree murder for causing the death of Blair County corrections officer Rhonda Russell. Aikens took Russell hostage while trying to escape from the Blair Central Court building in 2021. Aikens took officer Russell’s gun and held her hostage. While the two struggled, Sgt. George Bistline fired one shot that hit Russell when Aikens used her as a shield. The shot killed officer Russell. Aikens accepted the deal and pled guilty to 2nd degree murder, and will be sentenced next month, probably to life in prison. The estate of officer Russell has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the Blair County prison, the city of Altoona, Blair County and other officials.
