OTAY MESA, Calif. (KGTV) — Six correctional officers and two inmates at Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility were hospitalized Sunday after officials said a group of prisoners attacked the officers in a recreation yard.
The incident was reported at the prison just before 4 p.m., according to the California Department of Correction and Rehabilitation. About 20 inmates were in the facility's recreation yard when some began to attack the officers.
The six officers suffered stab wounds, lacerations, and possible broken bones and were taken to a nearby hospital. Their conditions were not immediately known.
Two inmates were also taken to outside hospitals for treatment. Other inmates involved were taken to the prison's medical facility for treatment.
Officials are not sure how many inmates were involved in the attack, but say that they ignored commands to stop, forcing less-lethal measures to be used. A warning shot was fired and additional officers responded to the yard.
Several weapons were reportedly recovered at the scene.
The four suspects were identified as Joe Mendez, 39, Luis Delgado, 24, Michael Figueroa, 20, and William Barba, 41. Those involved could also face charges of attempted murder of a peace officer.
Nearly one year ago, five inmates were injured in a riot involving about 80 inmates at the prison. Prior to that, three inmates suffered stab wounds in a seven-on-one fight in the facility in April 2019. In February 2019, a fight between 50 inmates left at least 10 prisoners injured.
According to the prison's reports online, 204 use of force incidents were reported in 2019. In its quarterly reports through March 2020, the last posted report, the prison had not reported any use of force incidents.
Donovan State Prison houses about 3,624 minimum-, medium-, and maximum-security inmates.
