By JEREMIAH MARQUEZ
Associated Press Writer
LOS ANGELES- Sheriff’s officials were trying to quell an inmate “disturbance” Wednesday at a county jail where racially motivated riots have killed one inmate and wounded scores of others in recent days, authorities said.
The incident occurred early Wednesday afternoon at the East Facility of Pitchess Detention Center in Castaic, about 40 miles (64 kilometers) northwest of downtown Los Angeles, according to sheriff’s Sgt. Dianne Hecht.
Injuries were reported, though it wasn’t immediately clear how many, she said. Preliminary reports indicated the incident was racially charged, she said.
The same detention center was the site of rioting Saturday between Hispanic inmates and black inmates that killed one man and injured more than 100 others. It was followed by two other melees Monday night that caused one minor injury.
Authorities have alleged that gang leaders outside the jail called Hispanic associates inside and directed them to attack blacks as retaliation for an assault that took place recently in South Los Angeles.