Deadly Delaware prison standoff ends

James Vaughn Correction Center in Smyrna

James Vaughn Correction Center in Smyrna

One Department of Correction employee is dead following a more than 20 hour standoff at the James Vaughn Correctional Center in Smyrna, Delaware. 

At 5:06 Thursday morning, Delaware State Police entered the C building where two Correction Dept. workers were being held hostage. They were able to safely rescue one of the hostages, a woman who was taken to a local hospital for treatment. The second employee was found unresponsive as police entered the building. He was pronounced dead at 5:29 Thursday morning. 

“I’m praying hard for the fallen officer’s family,” said Delaware Governor John Carney. “This serves as a tragic reminder that members of law enforcement risk their lives every day on behalf of the people of Delaware. We will stand by the fallen officer’s family and fellow law enforcement officers during what is an extremely difficult time.”

Delaware State Police plan to provide more details on the situation at a 10:30 a.m. news conference. 

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