Corrections Officer Wendy Shannon Dies Weeks After Prison Attack That Left Two Other Prison Employees Dead And 10 Injured
By Joe Marusak
The Charlotte Observer
October 31, 2017
ELIZABETH CITY, North Carolina -- Correctional Officer Wendy Shannon died Monday night from injuries she suffered during an Oct. 12 inmate escape attempt at Pasquotank Correctional Institution in Elizabeth City.
She is the third prison employee to die as a result of the attack.
Shannon, 49, died at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital in Norfolk, Va. She began her Department of Public Safety career at Pasquotank on Oct. 21, 2013, as a correctional officer.
“I’m deeply saddened that this brutal attack has taken the life of Correctional Officer Wendy Shannon, who was doing her job protecting the public,” Gov. Roy Cooper said late Monday. “Our hearts go out to the victim, her family, friends and coworkers.
“Prisons and their employees help keep our communities safe, and I’ve directed state prison officials to take the necessary steps to improve prison safety,” Cooper said.
“Our hearts are broken at the passing of Officer Shannon,” N.C. Department of Public Safety Secretary Erik Hooks said. “Our deepest condolences go out to the Shannon family during this difficult time.”
Four inmates were charged with first-degree murder in the attacks that also killed prison employees Veronica Darden and Justin Smith. The assaults also injured 10 other employees.
Law enforcement authorities said the inmates were working inside the prison’s sewing plant when they tried to carry out the escape plan.
Inmates at the Eastern North Carolina prison beat employees with hammers and stabbed them with scissors, according to prison workers who called 911. It was the deadliest escape attempt in North Carolina prison history.
The prison remains on lockdown. Members of the Prison Emergency Response Team from other state prison facilities continue to help the staff at Pasquotank.
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