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Federal corrections officer killed by inmate in Wayne County

By Dan Ratchford, WNEP A prison guard was killed by a prisoner Monday night at the federal prison in Wayne County, according to federal authorities. Prison offi...
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By Dan Ratchford, WNEP

A prison guard was killed by a prisoner Monday night at the federal prison in Wayne County, according to federal authorities.

Prison officials said Eric Williams, 34, of Nanticoke was assaulted by a prisoner with a homemade weapon at the United States Penitentiary Canaan near Waymart.

Williams was taken to a hospital and pronounced dead around 11:30 p.m. Monday.

Prison officials released the following statement:

“It is with great sadness that we report the death of Correctional Officer Eric Williams. Last night, Officer Williams, while working in a housing, was fatally assaulted by an inmate using a homemade weapon.

“Staff responded immediately and restrained the inmate. Officer Williams was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead at around 11:30 p.m.

“Warren Ebbert said ‘This is clearly the darkest day in our institution’s short history, and we are in shock over this senseless loss of a colleague and friend.’

“Officer Williams, 34, was from Nanticoke Pennsylvania. He began his career with the Bureau of Prisons on September 11, 2011.

“The institution has been placed on lockdown status. The community was never in any danger. An investigation into this tragic event is currently underway.”

An autopsy is scheduled for Tuesday.

The name of the inmate involved has not been released.

Source: WNEP

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