A Riverside County death row inmate was allegedly killed by another prisoner at Kern Valley State Prison on Friday morning, June 6, sparking a violent mob assault involving more than 30 inmates, according to state prison officials.

Around 10:30 a.m., inmate Mario Renteria, 36, attacked Julian Mendez, 46, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation said. Officials did not provide details of the attack beyond stating that he was “striking” Mendez, and it not clear what prompted the attack. However, an “improvised weapon” was later found at the scene.

The initial attack was halted, but moments later, a large group of inmates rushed Renteria and began assaulting him, the CDCR said. Despite repeated orders to stop, the group continued the attack until staff deployed multiple b

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