Tim Cook
A Hixson man who went on life support after a vicious attack by a fellow inmate at the McMinn County Jail in Athens, Tn., has died.
Family friends said 48-year-old Tim Cook, a Navy veteran, died Saturday after he was kicked repeatedly in the head a week earlier.
He had been arrested in Athens on a driving while intoxicated charge.
Sheriff Joe Guy told the Athens Post Athenian that Cook was in a booking area with 24-year-old Jerrod Jones.
He said Jones, after making a phone call, suddenly began a surprise attack on Cook.
He said the attack lasted about 20 seconds before guards were able to pull him off.
Tim Cook, the father of a 12-year-old son, was transported to the University of Tennessee Hospital in Knoxville.
Family friends said he had little brain activity after the attack.
The victim's parents also live in Hixson.
Jones had been taken to jail for misdemeanor charges of shoplifting, theft and trespassing.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation began investigating at the request of 10th District Attorney General Stephen Crump.
The TBI obtained an assault charge for Jones. That is expected to be upgraded following the victim's death.
Jerrod Jones