Jeff Hampton
The Virginian-Pilot
ELIZABETH CITY, N.C. — A third correctional officer died Monday evening from injuries she received when four inmates attempted to escape Oct. 12 from Pasquotank Correctional Institution.
Wendy Shannon, 49, died at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital, according to a release from the North Carolina Department of Public Safety. She had been a correctional officer for four years.
“Our hearts are broken at the passing of Officer Shannon,” said Department of Public Safety Secretary Erik A. Hooks. “Our deepest condolences go out to the Shannon family during this difficult time.”
Gov. Roy Cooper also expressed condolences in a statement.
“Our hearts go out to the victim, her family, friends and coworkers,” he said.
Correctional officer Justin Smith and corrections enterprises manager Veronica Darden died the day of the escape. A fourth prison employee, mechanic Geoffrey Howe was in critical condition at last report.
Wisezah Buckman, 29; Seth Frazier, 33; Mikel Brady, 28; and Jonathan Monk, 30 are charged with first degree murder and face the death penalty or life in prison without parole if convicted.
The Pasquotank prison remains on lock down, the release said, and the sewing plant is permanently closed as officials review safety standards following the deadliest escape attempt in the history of the state’s prison system.
The four inmates with violent crimes in their past started a fire in the sewing plant to create a diversion before breaking from the facility toward the exterior of the prison building. The sewing plant allowed about 30 prisoners access to tools such as scissors and hammers.
The inmates were captured at gun point as they tried to breach the prison fences topped with razor wire.
©2017 The Virginian-Pilot (Norfolk, Va.)