Authorities from more than 30 local, state and federal agencies across North Carolina safely regained control of the Bertie-Martin Regional Jail after inmates overpowered staff and seized control of the facility.
Two detention officers who were being held hostage were safely released and 80 inmates were moved from Bertie-Martin Regional Jail in Eastern North Carolina after many hours of negotiations as of late Monday.
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The State Bureau of Investigation said the situation ended in the "best possible outcome" with minimal injuries.
"Now that the incident has concluded, the investigation into what occurred and how it happened is just beginning. The SBI and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) will be conducting interviews with all involved parties in the coming days," the SBI said. "Every person will be interviewed, and extensive work will be done to ensure that those responsible for today's incident are held accountable."
According to Bertie County Sheriff Tyrone Ruffin, the jail is operated by an independent agency and not by the Bertie County or Martin County sheriff's offices.
In an update for the public, jail officials acknowledged concerns about the facility but said those issues will be addressed once the current situation is under control. They did not specify what those concerns are or whether they were the reason behind the inmate takeover.
Timeline of takeover at Bertie-Martin Regional Jail
Bertie County commissioner Vivian Saunders, who also serves on the jail's commission, told WRAL's sister station WITN that a hostage situation unfolded inside the jail on Monday morning around 5 a.m.
According to the SBI, a total of 88 inmates and three guards were inside the facility when the incident began. One of the guards was able to escape, while two others were taken hostage.
Martin County Sheriff Drew Robinson and Bertie County Sheriff Tyrone Ruffin said those officers were safe and no longer inside the jail as of 9:30 a.m. Monday. Authorities were also able to negotiate the safe release of 18 inmates. All were unharmed.
“Our top priority is the safety of our staff, inmates, and the surrounding community,” said Ruffin. “We are coordinating closely with multiple law enforcement partners to resolve this situation safely and as quickly as possible.”
Around 9:50 a.m., another large group of inmates was released and exited the jail.
By noon, 80 inmates had been removed from the jail and taken to another secure facility.
Negotiators continued working to peacefully resolve the takeover, and by Monday night authorities had regained control.
"Because of their professionalism, coordination, and commitment to public safety, this extremely dangerous situation was resolved without loss of life or major injury. I am deeply grateful for the dedication shown by every agency involved,” SBI Director Chip Hawley said.
Scammers target families of inmates in wake of takeover
According to the Martin County Sheriff's Office, deputies have received reports of family members of inmates at the jail being targeted by scammers. Robinson said individuals are contacting the families and falsely claiming that their loved one can be released on electronic monitoring if an immediate payment is made.
"This is a scam," the sheriff's office wrote on Facebook. "At this time, neither the Martin County Sheriff's Office nor the Bertie County Sheriff's Office is placing inmates on electronic monitoring for release."
Deputies asked any family member who received a call, text or email asking for money to secure the release of an inmate to not send money and contact local law enforcement.