Hostage situation at North Carolina jail ends safely

A hostage situation at a jail in eastern North Carolina ended safely after three correctional officers were held during an inmate disturbance, according to officials. No fatalities were reported.

The incident began at about 5 a.m. Monday at the Bertie-Martin Regional Jail, when the Bertie County Sheriff’s Office received a call reporting that the jail had been taken over and that correctional officers were being held hostage, Sheriff Tyrone Ruffin said at a briefing.

The first deputy arrived within two minutes but was unable to enter the facility. Additional deputies secured the perimeter while authorities worked to contain the situation inside the jail.

Officials initially said two correctional officers had been held hostage, but later clarified that three officers were involved. One was able to escape, while two others were later released. Ruffin said the officers are safe and receiving medical treatment.

Authorities removed about 80 inmates from the facility during the response, leaving only a small number inside as tactical teams worked to secure the building. Ruffin said officials had negotiated with some inmates before teams entered the jail.

The situation was resolved around 2 p.m. with minimal injuries, Ruffin said. All correctional officers and inmates were accounted for, and no inmates remained inside the jail. Those removed from the facility were taken to a secure location.

The building sustained damage during the incident, including damage inside the facility after SWAT teams entered. Officials said they would assess the full extent of the damage.

Investigators are still working to determine how many inmates were involved. The jail houses both lower-level offenders and people facing more serious charges, including murder, but Ruffin did not say which inmates were connected to the disturbance.

There was no indication the incident had been planned in advance. Officials said there was no threat to the public during the incident.

The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (NCSBI) and the FBI will conduct interviews and take part in the investigation in the coming days.