Inmates Take Overpower Guards At Bertie-Martin Regional Detention Center, Triggering Massive Law Enforcement Response
Around 5:00 AM this morning, the Bertie and Martin County Sheriff's Office said that inmates at the Bertie-Martin Regional Detention Center overpowered correctional staff and seized control of the facility, prompting an immediate response from local, state, and federal authorities.
According to law enforcement, the inmates assaulted on-duty guards and gained control of a portion of the building. At the time of the takeover, a total of 88 inmates and three guards were inside the facility. Shortly after the incident, one guard was able to escape the facility, while two guards were taken hostage.
This triggered a massive response from law enforcement. Here is a list of the agencies involved in responding: Bertie County Sheriff's Office, Martin County Sheriff's Office, NC SBI, NC ALE, NC SHP, NC DAC, FBI, Hertford County Sheriff's Office, Chowan County Sheriff's Office, Beaufort County Sheriff's Office, Granville County Sheriff's Office, Pamlico County Sheriff's Office, Pasquotank County Sheriff's Office, Greene County Sheriff's Office, Lenoir County Sheriff's Office, Wake County Sheriff's Office, Carteret County Sheriff's Office, Anson County Sheriff's Office, Edenton Police Department, Windsor Police Department, and Williamston Police Department.
“Our top priority is the safety of our staff, inmates, and the surrounding community,” said Sheriff Tyrone Ruffin. “We are coordinating closely with multiple law enforcement partners to resolve this situation safely and as quickly as possible.”
At about 9:30 am, negotiations led to the safe release of 18 inmates and the two guard hostages, who were able to leave the facility without further injury. Around 9:50 am, another large group of inmates were able to exit the facility. By 1: 46 pm, law enforcement announced that the incident was contained and that the State Bureau of Investigation and Federal Bureau of Investigation had cleared the building, and all inmates and staff were safe and accounted for.
This is an ongoing situation, and it is unclear how the safety situation occurred.
Another Cooper’s scandal?
The National Republican Senatorial Committee was quick to point out that this happened under the watch of Cooper’s political ally, Bertie Sheriff Ryrone Ruff, whom Cooper appointed to the North Carolina Juvenile Justice Planning Committee.
This could turn into another example of Cooper’s record of public safety. In 2017, the Cooper administration promised to take action following a deadly prison riot in Pasquotank County to prevent further tragedy. The incident today raises serious questions about whether or not the Cooper administration succeeds in addressing the issue.
