WINDSOR, N.C. — An inmate housed at Bertie Correctional Institution in Windsor was assaulted by a group of other inmates and killed Tuesday afternoon, according to the NC Department of Public Instruction.
Semajs Short (inmate #1539014), 24, was attacked in a housing area by a number of other prisoners at 2:14 p.m. Tuesday, said John Bull, communications director with the NCDP.
Prison first responders performed life-saving measures until local paramedics arrived and also worked to resuscitate Short. He was pronounced dead by paramedics at approximately 2:37 p.m.
Three other inmates were injured during the group assault and were taken to an outside medical facility for treatment of non life-threatening injuries.
The Windsor Police Department and the State Bureau of Investigation are investigating the incident. The Department of Public Safety is fully cooperating in the investigation and will seek criminal prosecution against any offender involved in the altercation.
The prison was placed on modified lockdown as investigators worked to discover more about what happened and why. No staff were injured.
Short was convicted of second-degree murder in Halifax County on April 3, 2017. He pleaded guilty in the death of a 2-year-old girl, according to reports. He was 17 years old at the time of the crime and was serving a 31-year sentence. Short was projected to be released on May 7, 2042.
Short has more than two dozen infractions on his DPS record, including gang involvement, lock tampering, and fighting with weapons.
