Tampering with gates, ‘improvised weapon.’ How deadly Macon jail fight unfolded
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- Inmates breached gates at Bibb County Jail, sparking a deadly altercation.
- One inmate died and four others were injured during the attack.
- Investigators are interviewing 24 inmates involved.
People in the Bibb County Jail tampered with — and opened — gates in the facility that separated two cell blocks, causing a large and deadly fight Wednesday, Sheriff David Daivs confirmed.
In addition to one death, four other people got injured in the altercation.
Breele Jahiem Johnson, 22, died as a result of the disorder Wednesday around 4 p.m. Willie James Haugabrook III, 40, and Brandon Carnell Willis, 19, also were injured and transported to the hospital, where they were in stable condition, deputies with the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office said. Stacey Montez Mathews, 22, and Isaiah Joshua Bailey, 22, were also injured but were treated at the jail’s infirmary.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is looking into the incident, deputies said.
The fight occurred after a group of inmates tampered with the two sets of sliding bar gates that separated two cell blocks.
They “were able to overpower both of those sliding doors and come over to the cell block (in which) a large fight ensued ... and several people were injured,” Davis said Wednesday.
The inmates had “some type of improvised weapon,” according to Davis.
The jail was locked down after people involved in the fight retreated back to their cell block, Davis said. It was still locked down Thursday morning.
The people injured in the incident have previously faced violent felony offenses. Haugabrook was incarcerated after being charged with murder, hit and run, theft by taking and violating probation. Mathews was charged with possessing a firearm during a felony and as a convicted felon, fleeing police, theft and parole violation. Bailey has been charged with murder, interfering with government property, aggravated assault and escape.
Johnson and Willis allegedly were both involved in an incident on Houston Avenue, where they were firing shots from a stolen car, according to local TV station 13WMAZ.
Court records show the two were charged with aggravated assault, possessing a firearm during the commission of a felony, possessing a firearm as a person under 18 years old and theft by receiving stolen property. Willis is additionally charged with giving inmates liquor, drugs, weapons or telecommunications devices without the warden’s consent, according to Bibb County Sheriff’s Office records.
What’s next?
Davis said there were no other incidents at the jail. Deputies at the sheriff’s office and agents with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation will be interviewing and assessing the 24 inmates within the two cell blocks, asking them what they know about the incident and ensuring that none of them suffered further injuries.
“I’ve ... met with the family of the deceased inmate, let them know what we know so far, and that certainly our condolences and our prayers are with them on their loss,” said Davis. “Our prayers are with all the other inmates who were injured and we are coordinating with their families too to keep them informed as to the conditions of their loved ones.”
Davis mentioned that the incident could be seen on video, but the sheriff’s office can’t release the video to the public as it is an “active and ongoing investigation,” deputies said.
How did the inmates tamper with the gates?
The locking mechanism on the gates in the jail can’t be broken loose by one person, but Davis said it’s possible for multiple people to push one open enough for others to run through it.
The gates that were tampered with were in “east control,” a newer part of the jail. However, this portion of the facility was not part of the recent upgrades or repairs that have taken place to improve security. The county has put $80 million toward trying to improve the jail in recent years, including bolstering security.
“(East control) was built, instead of 1980, this was built in like 1989,” Davis said. “But it’s still pretty worn out and been used during that time.”
This story was originally published June 5, 2025 at 11:08 AM.
