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| Justin Smith and Veronica Darden who were killed in an incident Oct. 12 at the Pasquotank Correctional Institution in NC after inmates started a fire in a sewing plant. |
Memorial service held for Pasquotank worker killed during failed prison break
By Matthew Twist
Updated: October 21, 2017, 6:37 pm
(North Carolina Department of Public Safety) ELIZABETH CITY, N.C (WAVY) – A private memorial has been held for the Pasquotank Correctional Institute work who was killed during an attempted prison break on Oct. 12.
The service for Correction Enterprises manager Veronica Darden was held Saturday morning, and the service for Correctional Officer Justin Smith will be held Sunday. Both services are being held at Elizabeth City State University.
Justin Smith, left, and Veronica Darden, were killed in an incident Oct. 12 at the Pasquotank Correctional Institution. Officials said inmates started a fire in a sewing plant. Several inmates tried to escape after the fire was started, but were unsuccessful. North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper released a statement on today’s service:
I spent some time today with the families of Corrections Officer Justin Smith and Corrections Enterprises leader Veronica Darden who were tragically killed in the attempted prison escape in Pasquotank County. I presented these families with both American and North Carolina flags that had been flown over the state Capitol. I am grateful for the lives of these two brave public servants and for their very special families who have touched me today with their kindness and courage in the face of profound loss and deep sorrow.”
A joint news conference was held Friday morning in Pasquotank County — where officials announced the charges against inmates Wisezah Buckman, Seth Frazier, Mikel Brady and Jonathan Monk.
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ELIZABETH CITY, N.C. (WAVY) — Two prison employees died and several
others were injured following a fire and attempted prison break Thursday
afternoon at the Pasquotank Correctional Institution.
The North Carolina Department of Public Safety has identified the two
victims as Justin Smith, a 35-year-old correctional officer and
Veronica Darden, a 50-year-old correction enterprises manager.
Officials said inmates started a fire around 3 p.m. at the prison’s
specialty sewing plant, where about 30 inmates work. The fires were
extinguished by 5 p.m.
After the fire was started, several inmates tried to escape the
prison. In a news conference Friday, officials said there was no
evidence any inmates left the prison yard.
Fourteen patients were taken to Sentara Albemarle Medical Center,
three of whom were taken to Sentara Norfolk General Hospital. Sentara
Healthcare officials said 10 of the 14 transported were employees, while
the other four were inmates.
Of more than a dozen people hospitalized, three remain at Sentara Norfolk.
Annie Harvey, Deputy Director of Prisons, identified the remaining
patients at Sentara Norfolk as Correctional Officers Wendy Shannon and
George Midgett and maintenance mechanic Geoffrey Howe. Officer Midgett
has been upgraded to fair condition. Howe and Officer Shannon remain in
critical condition, Harvey said.
Howe’s aunt told 10 On Your Side he was attacked with a hammer, underwent surgey and was in the neuro ICU.
“We are praying for their recovery,” Harvey said. “Correctional
Officers work every day to keep you safe and often we don’t feel that we
receive the same respect that other law enforcement officers do. I ask
that you call us Correctional Officers, not guards because they do more
than just guard a door. We believe in what we do. We are committed in
keeping you safe. but things are going to happen because it’s prison.”
Officials said the seven other employees and four inmates injured in the incident have been released from Sentara Albemarle.
Officials said Friday an estimated 200 law enforcement officers responded to the incident. The prison remained on lockdown Friday for “security reasons.”
North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper announced action on prison safety Friday afternoon — including suspending an inmate work program.
Three nearby schools were placed on lockdown
— Northside Elementary School, Elizabeth City Middle School and
Pasquotank County High School. The lockdowns were lifted Thursday
evening.
All afternoon activities at the schools were cancelled.
Elizabeth City-Pasquotank Public Schools sent out the following message Thursday afternoon:
Due to an incident that is taking place at the local jail north of town, Northside Elementary, Elizabeth City Middle School and Pasquotank County High School have been placed on lock down at the advice of Emergency Management.
Students who are bus riders who have not arrived home as of yet, will be returned to the school until we hear further from Emergency Management. Students and staff currently at these schools will not be released until we hear further from Emergency Management.
A follow up notification will be issued to update parents as to the lock down situation at our schools.
The school system said on Facebook — at the time of the lockdowns —
that students on buses who had not made it home were taken back to the
schools because of the potential for inmates being in the area.
Elizabeth City fire crews and EMS responded to the prison, along with local police officers and sheriff’s office deputies.
A spokesperson with the U.S. Coast Guard confirmed a helo crew from
Elizabeth City was assisting North Carolina officials with the response
to the incident.
Gov. Roy Cooper released this statement:
“Those who work in our prisons do a difficult and demanding job that is critical to our safety. We’re grateful to these fallen prison employees for their service, and we offer our condolences to their families, friends, coworkers and community on this tragic loss.”
According to NCDPS, the prison consists four buildings, in addition
to inmate housing. This includes a visiting area, recreation area,
dining hall, warehouse, vocational and academic classrooms, medical and
mental health offices, and administrative offices.
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ELIZABETH CITY, N.C. -- Four inmates who officials said attempted to escape from a North Carolina prison last week have been charged in the deaths of two prison employees, reports CBS affiliate WNCN.
The inmates allegedly started a fire at a sewing plant inside the Pasquotank Correctional Facility in Elizabeth City on Oct. 12, prison spokesman Keith Acree said in a statement Thursday. After the fire was set, several inmates unsuccessfully attempted to escape, reports CBS affiliate WTKR. It wasn't clear how many inmates were involved in the escape attempt.
Justin Smith and Veronica Darden were the two prison employees who died during a failed escape attempt on October 12, 2017 at the Pasquotank Correctional Institution in Elizabeth City, North Carolina, state prison officials said North Carolina Department of Public Safety.
Justin Smith, a 35-year-old correctional officer and Veronica Darden, a 50-year-old correction enterprises manager, were identified as the two people killed. Darden trained about 30 inmates at the prison sewing plant to make safety vests and other embroidered items, according to officials. Smith also provided security in the sewing plant and had worked as a correctional officer since 2012.
Officials have not said how the victims died.
Pasquotank County District Attorney Andrew Womble announced Friday that his office has charged inmates Wisezah Buckman, Seth J. Frasier, Mikel Brady and Jonathan M. Monk each with two counts of first-degree murder.
Womble told WNCN this is the "most serious matter I've ever prosecuted."
"I can't imagine these families, what they're going through," said Pasquotank County Sheriff Randy Cartwright.
More charges are expected in connection with the deadly attempted escape.