Prisoner convicted of murder accused of attacking officer at Columbus Correctional

WHITEVILLE, NC (WWAY) — A prisoner serving a life sentence for murder is now charged with attempted first-degree murder after authorities say he attacked a correctional officer at Columbus Correctional Institution.

Officials say Alfonso Lewis is accused of assaulting the officer Saturday afternoon at the Whiteville prison.

The officer remains hospitalized and is recovering from injuries sustained in the attack.

Lewis has been transferred to Granville Correctional Institution, the state’s most secure prison unit.

According to state records, Lewis has been in prison since 2010 after being convicted in Gaston County of first-degree murder in connection to a 2009 case. He is serving a life sentence. Records also show additional convictions tied to that case, including attempted first-degree murder and first-degree kidnapping.

The Columbus County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the incident. The North Carolina Department of Adult Correction is also conducting an internal investigation.