Authorities release names inmates killed in prison riot

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) – Authorities have released the names of the seven inmates killed by fellow prisoners during a riot at a South Carolina maximum-security prison.

The inmates were serving anywhere from 10 years to life in prison. Their crimes ranged from murder to burglary to trafficking crack cocaine.

The inmates are:

– 32-year-old Eddie Gaskins, who was serving 10 years for first-degree criminal domestic violence.

– 33-year-old Joshua Jenkins, who was serving 15 years for voluntary manslaughter.

– 33-year-old Corneilus McClary, who was serving 25 years for first-degree burglary.

– 44-year-old Michael Milledge, who was serving 25 years for trafficking crack cocaine.

– 24-year-old Damonte Rivera, who was serving life without parole for murder.

– 36-year-old Corey Scott, who was serving 22 years for kidnapping and armed robbery.

– 28-year-old Raymond Scott, who was serving 20 years for assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature.

Lee County Coroner Larry Logan says all the inmates were stabbed, slashed or beaten.

An inmate who witnessed a riot inside a South Carolina prison says he saw bodies stacking up on each other and correctional officers didn’t do anything to stop the violence or check on the injured.

A spokesman for the state’s prisons says seven inmates were killed and at least 17 others were seriously injured as inmates fought uninterrupted for more than seven hours. Officials didn’t immediately say what sparked the violence. No prison guards were hurt.

The prisoner who saw the riot exchanged messages with AP on the condition of anonymity because he is not allowed to have a cellphone and fears retribution from other inmates.

He says most of the inmates are affiliated with gangs and several attackers taunted a rival gang member who was hurt.