A Chattooga County Jail inmate was hospitalized last week after being repeatedly stabbed with a pencil during an altercation inside the facility, according to Sheriff Mark Schrader.

The incident occurred in the jail’s cell block area, where inmate Travis “Bubba” Kyzer allegedly attacked another inmate with a pencil. Sheriff Schrader said investigators have been unable to determine a motive for the assault.

“This is one of those situations where information is hazy right now,” Schrader said. “It appears to have been unprovoked.”

The sheriff said the attack took place in an area of the cell block that is not covered by surveillance cameras, creating a blind spot for staff. Several witnesses reported seeing part of the incident.

“We do have manpower watching both cell blocks, but it only takes a second for a fight to break out,” Schrader said.

The injured inmate was transported by ambulance to Atrium Floyd Medical Center in Rome for treatment. According to Schrader, the inmate was treated and later released.

“At the time of the incident, the inmate was being housed at the Chattooga County Jail while awaiting transfer to the Georgia Department of Corrections,” Schrader said. Following the stabbing, the Georgia Department of Corrections agreed to take custody of the inmate.

Kyzer has been charged with aggravated assault, since a pencil was used. A battery charge was also added. The incident remains under review by the Sheriff’s Office.