ATLANTA — A tragic incident unfolded at Smith State Prison in Georgia on Sunday when a food service employee was shot and killed.
The Georgia Department of Corrections reported that inmate Jaydrekus Hart allegedly fatally shot Aureon Shavea Grace, a 24-year-old food service worker, in the prison’s kitchen around 4:30 a.m. before turning the gun on himself.
“The weapon is in GDC custody at this time, and a complete and thorough investigation of what led up to this tragic incident will be carried out,” the corrections department stated.
Grace, from Statesboro, had been working at the prison since January. She was employed by Aramark, a company that provides food services for prisons in Georgia and other states. As per to the sources 11alive
“We are heartbroken over the loss of our colleague, and our hearts and prayers go out to her family,” said Aramark spokesperson Debbie Albert.
Albert confirmed that Aramark is assisting Georgia prison officials in their investigation. The authorities are working diligently to understand the circumstances that led to the fatal shooting.
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This incident marks the second killing of a staff member at Smith State Prison in less than a year.
Last October, correctional officer Robert Clark, 42, was killed after an inmate attacked him with a homemade weapon.
Smith State Prison, with a capacity for 1,500 inmates, is a close-security facility housing offenders considered violent or at risk of escape. The recent incidents underscore the dangerous environment faced by prison staff.