Columbia Inmate Charged After Stabbing Guard
In an unsettling incident at Broad River Correctional Institution, located in Columbia, South Carolina, a correctional officer was viciously attacked by an inmate on June 13. The accused, Ibn Gadson, 28, didn’t hold back during the assault, reportedly using a homemade metal weapon to inflict multiple stab wounds on the officer’s head. This shocking event has caught the attention of many and has flooding the news with questions about prison safety and inmate conduct.
Details of the Attack
According to a news release from the South Carolina Department of Corrections, Gadson has been charged with attempted murder, assault with a concealed weapon, and possession of contraband by a prisoner. The officer, who was taken to receive treatment, required both staples and stitches as a result of the attack. However, more details about the guard’s current condition have not been disclosed.
What makes this incident even more alarming is the lack of information regarding a possible motive. It’s unclear what might have triggered such violence in the aftermath of what was an ordinary day within the facility. Investigators have relied on various sources—witness statements, video surveillance evidence, and medical records—to piece together the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Who is Ibn Gadson?
Gadson is no stranger to trouble. In 2017, he was sentenced to concurrent prison terms totaling 70 years after pleading guilty to a slew of serious offenses, including accessory after the fact to felony murder and multiple counts of armed robbery
. His previous charges are linked to the tragic shooting death of a 20-year-old man and underscore a history of violent behavior.
Interestingly, this isn’t the first instance of Gadson’s illegal activities while behind bars. He had previously faced repercussions for throwing fluids at a correctional officer in a separate incident, revealing a pattern that raises concerns about his ability to control his aggression.
Prison Environment
Located in Richland County near Interstate 20, the Broad River Correctional Institution is a high and medium-security facility primarily designed to hold violent offenders. Given this fact, it should come as no surprise that safety is an ongoing concern within its walls. The prison houses inmates who have longer sentences and behavioral issues—making it critical to ensure that everyone within its confines is safe.
Representatives from the South Carolina Department of Corrections have explained that Gadson’s bond hearing was delayed due to procedural requirements. Inmates must receive their warrants and be given a fair chance for a bond hearing, which typically happens once a month. This process underscores the complexities involved in handling criminal cases involving current prisoners.
Other Inmate Activity
It seems Gadson isn’t the only inmate making headlines. While he was busy facing charges, another inmate—a 36-year-old man named Rickylee Charles Eugene Smith—is also in the spotlight after being charged with five counts of third-degree sexual exploitation of a minor. These charges stem from disturbing videos of child pornography found in Smith’s email account at the prison. Such revelations shed light on the serious issues that persist within the criminal justice system.
Conclusion
As this story unfolds, it raises pressing questions about the safety of correctional officers and inmates alike in facilities known for managing violent offenders. The incident involving Gadson acts as a reminder of the challenges faced by the South Carolina Department of Corrections in maintaining a secure environment. With further proceedings anticipated, the community awaits answers and, perhaps, a deeper understanding of how to improve safety measures to prevent events like these from occurring in the future.
