911 tapes detail moments after alleged Smith State Prison murder-suicide

GLENNVILLE, Ga. (WSAV) – 911 tapes from the night of June 16, 2024, detail what appears to be chaos and confusion after the alleged murder-suicide at Smith State Prison. According to the Georgia Department of Corrections (GDC), inmate Jaydrekus Hart shot contracted food service worker Aureon Grace before taking his own life.

That 911 call was made by a prison employee. You can hear shouting in the background and confusion as to what happened in the kitchen.

911 Operator: “You said, there’s two patients?”

Smith SP employee: “Yes, there’s two patients. They’re both unconscious… she has a lot of blood loss right now.”

According to the GDC, Hart and Grace had a personal relationship.

In the call, the employee on the phone warned no one to go in the kitchen, where the shooting is reported to have happened.

Smith SP employee: “All units are to stay in their place and stay out of that kitchen. Do not enter the kitchen at this time. I repeat, do not enter that kitchen at this time.”

Those employees are heard asking one another what to do and who to call.

Susan Burns, founder of They Have No Voice, listened to the call. She says that tragic outcome is why she continues to advocate for prisoners and workers.

“It’s the worst thing I have literally, actually ever seen that it’s related to a prison,” she said, “and there’s no one in charge. No one knows what to do. It just pulls back the curtain on the lack of training, the inability to communicate. The question of staffing again comes into this.”

WSAV has heard from other employees that the environment at Smith State is unsafe. Some employees who were injured by inmates are now suing the GDC.

Meanwhile, rumors were going around on social media that Warden Jacob Beasley was suspended. News 3 reached out to the GDC who says he is still the acting warden.

The GDC does not comment on active investigations.