3 inmates injured in fight at the Merced County jail
A fight Thursday night at the Merced County jail sent three inmates to the hospital, the Sheriff’s Office confirmed.
Few details were released Friday, including the identities of the inmates involved or what sparked the violence.
The inmates suffered injuries that were not life-threatening, Deputy Daryl Allen said in a statement.
All three injured inmates were described by deputies as Norteno gang members.
No deputies or correctional officers were injured in the altercation.
The fight was reported just after 7:30 p.m. Thursday at the sheriff’s main jail on West 22nd Street in Merced.
It is at least the fourth violent episode at a sheriff’s jail facility in Merced County in June. Inmates have been sent to the hospital in each case. All four incidents have involved Norteno gang members, authorities have said.
An Atwater man awaiting trial on a murder charge allegedly stabbed another inmate June 7 approximately 20 to 30 times, authorities said. A second attack on June 11 was reported when two men allegedly beat another inmate. A third incident was reported three days later on June 14 at the John Latorraca Correctional Facility on Sandy Mush Road.
Rob Parsons: 209-385-2482
This story was originally published June 23, 2017 at 8:53 AM with the headline "3 inmates injured in fight at the Merced County jail."