Inmate fatally stabbed in a state correctional facility in Barbour Co.

BARBOUR COUNTY, AL (WTVM) - The Alabama Department of Corrections is investigating a fatal stabbing of an inmate at a correctional facility in Clayton, AL.

Bob Horton with the Alabama Department of Corrections says it doesn't happen often.

"This is the first fatality reported at that facility in a very long time," says Horton.

29-year-old Alonzo Muntez Sykes was found unresponsive in a facility dorm at Ventress Correctional Facility at approximately 4:45 p.m.

Sykes had multiple stab wounds and medical staff administered CPR, but Sykes died as a result of his injuries at 5:00 p.m.

Officials have identified 33-year-old Steven Allen Moore as a suspect.

The weapon used in the stabbing has been recovered.

The motive for the incident has yet to be determined, but Horton says understaffing has been a problem at the facility.

"We're at 200 percent capacity with over 1,200 inmates. Understaffing is a major issue. We try to do everything we can to medicate such incidents from occurring," Horton says.

He says state legislation was passed to allow the department to increase the pay for correctional officers that went into effect July 1st, and he's hoping it could help in the near future.

"We hope it will help improve recruitment and our retention with officers in the department which would improve the number of our officers department-wide," says Horton.

Sykes was serving a 20-year sentence on a 2008 first-degree robbery conviction in Jefferson County, Alabama.

Moore was sentenced to 20 years in 2005 after being convicted of distributing a controlled substance in Morgan County, Alabama.

This is a developing story. Keep with News Leader 9 for on-air and online for updates.

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