A Georgia correctional officer was killed Sunday following an attack by an inmate, the state’s correctional department confirmed.
Robert Clark, a corrections officer at Smith State Prison in Tattnall County, was attacked from behind with a homemade weapon by an inmate was escorting from the dining hall, 11 Alive reported. The inmate was identified as Layton Lester.
Another inmate whom Clark was also escorting tried to intervene and was also injured. That inmate was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Clark, 42, began working at Smith State Prison earlier this year.
“The entire GDC team is mourning the loss of one of our own and we collectively express our deepest condolences to Officer Clark’s family and friends,” Department of Corrections Commissioner Tyrone Oliver said in a statement. “We will support them as they navigate this tragedy over the coming days, weeks and months.”
The inmate accused in the attack will face charges, the Department of Corrections stated.
