Insect Bites Contributed To Inmate's Death, Prompting GA Jail Updates

ATLANTA, GA — Changes are coming to the Fulton County Jail after media outlets reported an inmate from Florida suffered insect bites and died in the jail in September 2022.

Fulton County Sheriff Patrick "Pat" Labat made the announcement Monday in a news release, noting he has requested and accepted the resignations of the chief jailer, assistant chief jailer and assistant chief jailer in the criminal investigations division during the weekend.

CNN reported the family of Lashawn Thompson is seeking answers, asking for a criminal investigation into his death and a new jail to be built in Fulton. Thompson was in the jail for three months.

CNN reported the family attorney cited unsanitary conditions and complications from insect bites as the reasons for Thompson's death. The Washington Post secured a photo of what is reported to be Thompson's cell.

Authorities in Fulton launched an investigation surrounding the circumstances of Thompson's death, Labat announced Monday morning in a separate news release. The medical examiner ruled his cause and manner of death as undetermined.

"Due to HIPAA statutes and regulations, we are not able to share any information about what Mr. Thompson's health condition was upon being arrested or what decisions he made regarding his right to accept or refuse medical care," Labat said in the release.

The Atlanta Police Department, the responding agency, is assisting with the investigation. The Georgia Bureau of Investigations will review the case files once completed.

Aside from personnel changes, Labat said the jail will update protocol for security rounds, increase the number of staff members in the mental health unit and approve and allocate an additional $500,000 to address the infestation of bed bugs, lice and other vermin in the jail.

More than 600 inmates will be transferred to other county jails to relieve overcrowding, which Labat said costs about $40,000 a day.

“Most importantly, we want to, once again, extend our sincere condolences to the family of Mr. LaShawn Thompson,” Labat said in the release. “The final investigative report will not ease the family’s grief or bring their loved one back, but it is my hope and expectation that it provides a full, accurate and transparent account of the facts surrounding Mr. Thompson’s death so that it provides all of the answers they are seeking and deserve.”