Sheriff: 3 inmates dead, at least 12 hospitalized after ‘possible riot’ at Washington State Prison

Written by: A. Smith

Published January 12, 2026 @ 2:00 PM ET

WASHINGTON COUNTY, Ga. – Three inmates were killed and more than a dozen others injured after multiple fights broke out Sunday inside Washington State Prison, an incident the sheriff described as a possible riot.

The Washington County Sheriff’s Office said deputies responded to the prison in Davisboro after the Georgia Department of Corrections requested assistance securing the facility. While GDC officials worked to regain control inside the prison, sheriff’s deputies and other agencies secured the perimeter.

Sheriff Joel Cochran said the violence erupted Sunday afternoon when “several major fights” broke out between inmates inside the facility, prompting a lockdown.

“What we understand occurred early this afternoon is that several major fights broke out within the facility between inmates,” Cochran said. “This resulted in approximately 13 inmates being transported out of the facility for medical treatment.”

The Washington County Coroner’s Office confirmed that three inmates died as a result of the incident. On Monday, Cochran identified two of the deceased as Ahmod Hatcher, 23, and Jimmy Trammell, 42. The identity of the third inmate has not yet been released.

Authorities said at least 12 inmates were injured during the fighting and transported to a local hospital. The Georgia State Patrol assisted with security at the hospital while inmates were treated. One correctional officer was also injured during the disturbance, though officials have not released details about the officer’s condition.

According to Georgia Department of Corrections records, Hatcher was serving time for multiple offenses, including robbery, aggravated assault, and possession of cocaine. Records also show he was most recently charged with aggravated assault and mutiny in a penal institution in Richmond County in 2023. Trammell was serving a sentence for a burglary conviction in Fulton County from 2015, GDC records indicate.

Cochran said it has been some time since Washington State Prison experienced an incident of this magnitude.

“It’s not uncommon for these things to happen at correctional facilities; however, I think it has been quite some time since we’ve had to come to an incident this large,” he said.

In addition to the Washington County Sheriff’s Office and coroner, agencies responding to the scene included the Georgia State Patrol, the Davisboro Police Department, and the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office. Cochran said the Georgia Department of Corrections was responsible for handling the situation inside the prison.

By about 6 p.m. Sunday, the sheriff’s office said the prison had been secured, and deputies were cleared from the scene.

Washington State Prison is a Georgia Department of Corrections facility for adult male offenders located in Davisboro. The Georgia Department of Corrections has not released details about what caused the fights or whether additional disciplinary or criminal charges may result.

The incident remains under investigation.