Deaths in CustodyWork in progressIn progress
Died in prison

One of 4 people whose names were not reported

died April 16, 2018 · Lee Correctional Institution, Lee County, South Carolina

One of seven people killed in a riot at Lee Correctional Institution in Bishopville, South Carolina, on the night of April 15, 2018. State officials said fighting between groups held in three housing units, over territory and contraband, lasted about seven hours before the prison was secured in the early hours of April 16. Lee County Coroner Larry Logan said most of the dead were stabbed or slashed and the rest appeared to have been beaten, and that autopsies were pending. A prisoner told the Associated Press that no staff attended to the dead or dying for hours, while corrections officials said staff entered as quickly as they could safely do so. The accounts of the officers' response remain in dispute.

Cause of death, as reported: Killed by another person in custody (disputed; neglect alleged). The coroner said the person bled to death from stab or slash wounds in the riot, while a prisoner told the AP that no staff attended to the dying for hours and a surviving inmate's lawsuit says the wounded waited hours for first responders, and corrections officials said staff entered as fast as they safely could.

Reported by: Lee County Coroner Larry Logan (medical examiner or coroner); South Carolina Department of Corrections (the agency that held him); an inmate told the Associated Press (witnesses); a surviving inmate's lawsuit (family or their lawyers); Gov. Henry McMaster.

Lawsuit: A surviving inmate filed a lawsuit saying some of those who died were wounded and waited hours for first responders to reach the dorm, but no amount was reported.

Sources (26)