A prisoner was stabbed and several others are facing more charges after violence broke out inside an Edmonton courtroom Friday morning. 

The victim — whose injury is believed to be minor — was being held with three other prisoners in courtroom 267 where drug charges were being dealt with when the attack occurred around 10 a.m.

“They pretty much just jumped a guy in the corner,” said Chris Steinhauer, who was watching court proceedings when the melee broke out.

Sheriffs quickly intervened, separating the group, and pepper spray was deployed before city police and EMS arrived. 

Steinhauer, outside the courtroom where pepper spray still wafted, described the weapons as some sort of “shank,” possibly made from a pencil.

All matters were moved to a different courtroom for the day.

Authorities are to release more details about the case later Friday.