Columbia Prison Inmate Charged After Brutal Stabbing of Correctional Officer
In a shocking turn of events at the Broad River Correctional Institution in Columbia, an inmate is facing serious charges after a brutal attack on a correctional officer. The incident, which occurred on June 13, has now resulted in 28-year-old Ibn Gadson being charged with attempted murder, assault with a concealed weapon, and possession of contraband by a prisoner. These charges came to light in a recent news release from the South Carolina Department of Corrections.
The Incident Unfolds
The attack, which left the correctional officer requiring staples and stitches to his head, was carried out using a “metal homemade knife-type weapon,” according to arrest warrants. Witness statements, surveillance video, and physical evidence were crucial in piecing together the details of this harrowing event. Although the officer’s condition remains undisclosed, it’s clear that such an incident raises serious concerns about safety in prisons.
The investigation leading to Gadson’s arrest on September 5 was quite thorough. Officials sifted through numerous accounts and evidence before issuing charges, showcasing the gravity of the situation. While details regarding Gadson’s motives remain unclear, it’s evident that this isn’t his first brush with the law.
A Troubled Past
Gadson’s criminal history is alarming. In 2017, he pleaded guilty to accessory after the fact to felony murder, along with two counts of armed robbery and first-degree assault & battery. His involvement in a fatal shooting resulted in a hefty sentence, with concurrent terms adding up to a grueling 70 years behind bars. The crime was tied to the tragic death of 20-year-old Jeremy Davis at a gas station in Richland County, an incident that rattled the local community.
In a separate incident back in 2017, Gadson was also found guilty of throwing fluids on a correctional officer. It seems his penchant for trouble hasn’t relented since the beginning of his incarceration.
Latest Developments
As it stands, Gadson awaits his bond hearing scheduled for October 23. What’s intriguing, however, is that the timeline for bond hearings can be a bit drawn out for incarcerated individuals facing new charges. “When a currently incarcerated person is charged with a crime, the inmate still must be served with a warrant and be afforded a bond hearing,” said corrections officials.
This cumbersome process means that Gadson had to wait a considerable amount of time before this latest hearing could take place—evidently, a case that many will be watching closely.
Not Alone in His Troubles
Interestingly, Gadson isn’t the only inmate at Broad River facing a bond hearing this October. Another inmate, Rickylee Charles Eugene Smith, 36, is in hot water too, charged with five counts of third-degree sexual exploitation of a minor. The charges stem from disturbing videos found in his email account while incarcerated, amplifying concerns around the conduct of inmates within the correctional facility.
Community Concerns
As these incidents unfold, the community is left asking questions. How safe are our correctional officers, and what measures can be put in place to prevent such alarming acts? With a string of past offenses and shocking new charges, it’s no wonder the public is closely monitoring these developments. It seems that the situation at Broad River is still evolving, with more facts likely to emerge in the coming days.
This story is ongoing, and updates will continue as new information becomes available. For now, all eyes remain on the outcomes and implications of these unfolding events in Columbia’s correctional system.
