Central Jail Inmate Dies After Attack by Cellmates
An inmate at the Men’s Central Jail died Monday of injuries he suffered during an attack by five cellmates, authorities said.
Mauricio Avalos, 19, was taken to the County-USC Medical Center jail ward after being attacked late Saturday, said sheriff’s spokesman Cruz Solis. Avalos underwent surgery Sunday. His conditioned worsened and he died early Monday.
Avalos was housed in a six-person cell with the other inmates.
Each of the inmates belonged to the same gang but the other inmates started attacking Avalos late Saturday, Solis said. As deputies tried to get Avalos out, the attackers threw feces and urine at them.
A riot response squad of deputies managed to enter the cell and take Avalos to the infirmary, Solis said. Homicide detectives were interviewing Avalos’ cellmates Monday.
Detectives believe the attack was gang-related, Solis said, but they had not determined a motive.
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