GLENNVILLE, Ga. — An inmate used a gun to kill a kitchen worker at a Georgia prison early Sunday before fatally shooting himself, state officials said.
The Georgia Department of Corrections in a statement said it’s investigating the deaths at Smith State Prison in rural southeast Georgia. The agency provided few immediate details, including how the inmate obtained a firearm.
The agency’s statement said inmate Jaydrekus Hart fatally shot a food service worker in the prison’s kitchen at about 4:30 a.m. Sunday, then used the gun to kill himself.
“The weapon is in GDC custody at this time, and a complete and thorough investigation of what led up to this tragic incident will be carried out,” the statement said.
Agency spokeswoman Lori Benoit provided no further information when reached by phone. She said further details would be released when they become available.
The name of the slain kitchen worker, an employee of the food service company Aramark, was not immediately released.
It’s the second killing of a staff member at Smith State Prison in less than a year. Correctional officer Robert Clark, 42, died last October after an inmate he was escorting attacked him from behind with a homemade weapon.
A state investigation into a sprawling contraband scheme inside the prison resulted in the arrest and firing of the prison’s warden, Brian Adams, in February 2023. He was charged with racketeering, bribery, making or writing false statements and violating his oath as a public officer.
Hart had been imprisoned since 2015 after being convicted in Carroll County of voluntary manslaughter and aggravated battery, according to online prison records. His earliest potential release date would have been in 2043.
Smith State Prison, which has capacity for 1,500 inmates, is a close-security prison that houses offenders considered violent or an escape risk.
Officials have reported a shocking and tragic incident that occurred in a prison facility, where an inmate used a gun to kill a prison kitchen worker before taking his own life. The incident has raised concerns about safety and security within the prison system, as well as the mental health and well-being of inmates.
According to reports, the inmate, who was serving time for a violent crime, somehow obtained a gun and used it to fatally shoot a kitchen worker who was on duty at the time. The worker, who was described as a dedicated and well-liked employee, was simply going about their daily tasks when they were senselessly attacked.
After committing this heinous act, the inmate then turned the gun on himself, ending his own life. The motive behind the attack is still unclear, but authorities are conducting a thorough investigation to determine how the inmate was able to obtain a weapon inside the prison.
This tragic incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers that prison workers face on a daily basis. Working in a correctional facility can be incredibly challenging and dangerous, as employees are constantly exposed to violent and unpredictable individuals. It also highlights the need for increased security measures and stricter protocols to prevent such tragedies from occurring in the future.
Furthermore, this incident raises questions about the mental health and well-being of inmates within the prison system. It is clear that this inmate was in a state of distress or turmoil that led him to commit such a violent act. More needs to be done to address the mental health needs of inmates and provide them with the support and resources they need to cope with their circumstances.
Overall, this tragic event serves as a sobering reminder of the risks and challenges faced by those who work in the prison system. It is imperative that authorities take swift action to ensure the safety and security of both inmates and staff, while also addressing the underlying issues that may contribute to such acts of violence.
