Smyrna prison siege over, one guard dead

The prisoner takeover of a prison building in Smyrna is over and, officials say one Department of Correction officer who was held hostage is dead.

At 5:06 a.m., prison officials say, Delaware State Police breached the C Building, where two of the four hostages taken Feb. 1 remained. One of the hostages who is a DOC employee was safely rescued and is being examined at a local hospital. She is alert and talking, said Jayme Gravell, spokeswoman for the Department of Correction.

The remaining hostage, also a DOC employee, was found unresponsive upon entry. He was pronounced dead at 5:29 a.m., Gravell said.  

She said building C is now secured.

Gov. John Carney thanked the prison and law enforcement officers who worked throughout the day and night to resolve the crisis.

"I'm praying hard for the fallen officer's family. This serves as a tragic reminder that members of law enforcement risk their lives every day on behalf of the people of Delaware. We will stand by the fallen officer's family and fellow law enforcement officers during what is an extremely difficult time,” he said.

Carney said the top priority is to determine how prisoners were able to get control of a prison building and take hostages. “We will hold accountable anyone who was responsible. And we will make whatever changes are necessary to ensure nothing like it ever happens again," he said.

For the first-day story on the prison hostages, go to www.capegazette.com/article/hostages-taken-smyrna-prison-prompting-statewide-lockdown/124933.

Gravell said the DOC will release additional information as it is appropriate.