Watch CBS News

Racial Tensions Blamed For Brawl At Men's Central Jail

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — Multiple inmates were recovering from injuries Wednesday after a brawl erupted inside Men's Central Jail in downtown Los Angeles.

KNX 1070's Brian Ping reports the scuffle prompted a strong response from deputies.

6 hurt in brawl at LA jail

The incident occurred shortly after noon Tuesday in a third floor recreation area inside Tower One, Los Angeles County Sheriff's Office spokesman Steve Whitmore said.

The fight involving more than 60 inmates lasted for just over a minute before deputies were able to break it up, according to the Associated Press.

Four inmates suffered cuts and bruises, and were transported to a hospital for treatment, Associated Press reported.

Among the projectiles deputies used to break up the fight were sting ball grenades, which release a burst of hard rubber pellets.

Whitmore said while it appeared racial animosity between blacks and Latinos fueled the brawl, he doesn't believe conditions in the 19,000-inmate facility were a factor.

"Our inmate population, they're in for more violent crimes than ever before," Whitmore said. "I will say this though, crime is at historic lows, so I don't think it's overcrowding, I just think it has to do with from time to time, tension flares up."

It was unclear what specific racial groups were involved in the incident.

(©2013 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Wire services contributed to this report.)

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.