It is alleged that a convicted murderer used a ‘homemade weapon’ to kill a corrections officer working at the state jail in Georgia

On Sunday, a convicted killer serving time at a prison in the state of Georgia is accused of killing a corrections officer and assaulting another inmate at the facility.

Officer Robert Clark, 42, was escorting two convicts out the dining hall at Smith State Prison when one of the inmates, named as Layton Lester, attacked him from behind with a “homemade weapon,” according to a news release issued by the Georgia Department of Corrections. Officer Clark was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

The other inmate, Marko Willingham, tried to rescue Clark by intervening, but Lester assaulted him as well, according to the agency. Lester’s actions were reported by both inmates.

Officer Robert Clark, age 42, was leading two offenders out of the dining hall at Smith State Prison when he was attacked from behind by one of the detainees. In the end, his injuries proved fatal to him. (Department of Corrections of the State of Georgia)

Both Clark and Willingham were taken by ambulance to separate hospitals in the area to receive medical assistance. Clark succumbed to his wounds in the hospital, while Willingham is still being treated there for injuries that are not considered to be life-threatening.

Commissioner Tyrone Oliver expressed his condolences to Officer Clark’s family and friends in a statement that was included in the news release. “The entire GDC team is mourning the loss of one of our own and we collectively express our deepest condolences to Officer Clark’s family and friends,” Commissioner Oliver stated. In the days, weeks, and months to come, we will be there for them as they work through the aftermath of this tragedy.