Columbia Inmate Faces Attempted Murder Charges After Stabbing Correctional Officer

Columbia Inmate Arrested After Stabbing Correctional Officer

In a shocking incident that has sent ripples through the Columbia community, 28-year-old Ibn Gadson was recently arrested for allegedly stabbing a correctional officer in the head. This unsettling event unfolded on June 13, 2024, inside the Broad River Correctional Institution, as confirmed by officials from the South Carolina Department of Corrections.

Attempted Murder and More

Gadson now faces some serious charges, including attempted murder, assault with a concealed weapon, and possession of contraband by a prisoner. These charges were formally announced in a news release from the department on Thursday, making it clear that the stakes are high for Gadson. The attack, according to arrest warrants, involved the use of a metal homemade knife-type weapon, which Gadson allegedly used to stab the officer multiple times. The officer required staples and stitches to treat head injuries as a result of the assault. Though details regarding the victim’s current condition were not disclosed, the incident raises serious concerns about safety in a facility meant to hold violent offenders.

A Closer Look at the Incident

The timeline of events indicates that Gadson was arrested on September 5, with a bond hearing scheduled for October 23, as noted in Richland County court records. The stabbing occurred in June, but the investigation took several months, with authorities gathering a range of evidence, including witness statements, surveillance footage, medical records, and statements from Gadson himself. However, the investigation did not reveal a clear motive for the attack, leaving many questions unanswered.

What Is the Broad River Correctional Institution?

Located on Broad River Road—a close drive from the junction with Interstate 20—the Broad River Correctional Institution is a male-only facility that primarily houses offenders with longer sentences who exhibit behavioral problems. It is categorized as a close-security, high-security, and medium-security prison, tailored to manage violent criminals.

A Troubled Past

This incident isn’t Gadson’s first run-in with the law. Back in 2017, he pleaded guilty to serious charges linked to a fatal shooting during an armed robbery at a gas station, resulting in prison sentences totaling over 70 years. His earlier convictions include accessory after the fact to felony murder and first-degree assault & battery. In the same year, he was also sentenced for throwing fluids on a correctional officer, indicating a pattern of violent behavior behind bars.

Additions to His Record

Adding to his troublesome history, Gadson is also facing pending charges from another incident in 2021 at the Broad River facility, including charges of second-degree assault & battery and carrying or concealing a weapon while incarcerated. With each new charge, his legal troubles seem to mount, raising alarms about his future and the safety of those around him.

Understanding the Legal Process

As the legal process unfolds, it’s important to understand that when a currently incarcerated individual like Gadson is charged with a new crime, they must be served with a warrant and provided a bond hearing. This can take time; in South Carolina, bond hearings for such cases are generally scheduled once a month. This means that even in dire situations like Gadson’s alleged assault on the correctional officer, the wheels of justice turn slowly.

What’s Next?

In October, Gadson isn’t the only inmate facing a bond hearing; there are others too, including 36-year-old Rickylee Charles Eugene Smith, who faces serious charges of child exploitation. As developments unfold, the public can expect more updates on these significant legal cases, but for now, Columbia residents and the surrounding community are left contemplating the unsettling nature of life inside the Broad River Correctional Institution.