CASTAIC – The Pitchess Detention Center-North County Correctional Facility, run by Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD), located 40 miles north of downton L.A., was the scene of a heavy law-enforcement response on July 15th at approximately 3:05 PM. As a routine security dorm-check was taking place, deputy personnel entered one of the dorms – whereby one deputy was assaulted by an inmate.
An inmate-disturbance took hold as multiple inmates in the dorm joined in the fray. The escalated altercation required an immediate request for additional deputies at the location.
“Deputy personnel responded to the location to prevent escalation between the inmates and restore order,” said Deputy Miguel Meza. As deputies used verbal commands in their effort to gain compliance during the melee, “Liquid Oleoresin Capsicum (Pepper Spray) was administered and approximately 20-25 inmates were exposed to the chemical.”
Injuries occurred to 7 deputies and one Custody Assistant (CA). Non life-threatening injuries resulted in 6 of the deputies and the CA being transported to a local hospital.
A local hospital received two inmates transported via ambulance for their life-threatening inuries, as well. As the L.A. County Jail facility remains on lockdown, there is no further information available at this time.