A prison guard was found dead early Thursday as police began clearing a building in a prison that had been seized by prisoners nearly 24 hours earlier in the eastern U.S. state of Delaware.
Delaware State Police found two hostages while securing the building at the James T. Vaughn Correctional Center. One was later pronounced dead, while the other was safely escorted to a local hospital.
The hostage situation started Wednesday morning when prisoners took four guards hostage. Two of those hostages were released later Wednesday.
Delaware Governor John Carney said Thursday the event “serves as a tragic reminder” of the dangers faced by law enforcement officers and that he is praying for the family of the dead officer.
"We will hold accountable anyone who was responsible," Carney said, "and we will make whatever changes are necessary to ensure nothing like it ever happens again."
In a phone call to a local newspaper made Wednesday during the hostage situation, prisoners said the reasons for their actions include “Donald Trump. Everything that he did. All the things that he's doing now. We know that the institution is going to change for the worse.''
The prisoners also complained of an insufficient prison education system and ineffective rehabilitation techniques.
The prison houses approximately 2,500 inmates, and employs about 1,500 corrections officers.
