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A Georgia prison guard was killed when an inmate — already in jail for murder — pulled a “homemade weapon” and attacked the correctional officer from behind as he escorted him from a jail dining hall, officials said.
Robert Clark was killed and another inmate who tried to intervene was wounded Sunday after prisoner Layton Lester allegedly launched at the 42-year-old victim inside Smith State Prison Sunday, the Georgia Department of Corrections said in a press release.
Clark was assaulted using a “homemade weapon,” while taking the two inmates from the dining area, officials said. The other inmate, Marko Willingham, was injured when he tried to help Clark.
Clark, who only started working at the prison in April, was taken to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Willingham remains in the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, according to the corrections department.
“The entire [Georgia Department of Corrections] team is mourning the loss of one of our own and we collectively express our deepest condolences to Officer Clark’s family and friends,” GDC Commissioner Tyrone Oliver said in a statement. “We will support them as they navigate this tragedy over the coming days, weeks and months.”
Lester is expected to be charged with the assault and resulting death of Clark, as well as the assault on Willingham.
He was already behind bars for numerous crimes, including a 2007 murder, according to state jail records.
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp expressed his condolences over the killing.
“Today we join the public safety community in mourning the loss of Corrections Officer Robert Clark,” he wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
“Please join us in praying for his family, loved ones, and the Georgia Department of Corrections at this time.”
Few more details were revealed about the deadly attack.
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