Franklin County inmate in serious condition after trying to kill himself

An accused robber is in serious condition at a Tri-Cities hospital after he tried hanging himself in his Franklin County cell, said jail officials.

Franklin County corrections officers were making their routine rounds when they found Joel Vasquez, 37, attempting suicide about 11 p.m. Thursday, Sheriff Jim Raymond said in a news release Friday.

Jail officials quickly started working to save his life, and Pasco paramedics took him to a hospital, said Raymond.

Vasquez remains in serious condition, he said.

Vasquez has been in the jail since October when he was arrested for allegedly robbing Sandoval’s Market in Basin City.

He is charged with demanding cash at gunpoint from a store clerk before driving away. His trial was scheduled to start Feb. 20.

This story was originally published January 25, 2019 at 10:26 AM.