Convicted NC murderer killed in prison assault, state says

Authorities are investigating the murder of an inmate Tuesday afternoon at an Eastern Carolina prison.

The state Department of Public Safety said that Semajs Short was attacked in a housing area at Bertie Correctional Institution around 2:15 p.m.

Three other inmates were injured during what is being called a group assault by other inmates.

Short, who was serving a 25-year sentence for second-degree murder from Halifax County, was pronounced dead less than 30 minutes after the attack.

The prison was put on modified lockdown as investigators worked to learn what happened. DPS says no prison staff was injured.