Three people are dead and dozens more injured after a riot at a state prison in Tijuana. The death of an inmate sparked the riot which lasted 12 hours. KPBS Reporter Amy Isackson has more.
State law enforcement officials say the riot broke out Sunday around three in the afternoon. For the next twelve hours, it was chaos both inside and out.
Local media showed hundreds of inmates on the roof and waving banners demanding justice. They hurled rocks and pieces of cement. Thick black smoke rose up from behind the prison walls.
As word of the riot got around, hundreds of prisoners' family members crowded the streets. They hoped for some word of their loved ones.
Mother Antonia who's a nun and has lived at the prison for thirty years says its the worst she's seen.
Mother Antonia: There's glass and water and destruction every place you look. They destroyed the kitchen. We don't have electricity, We don't have water.
State law enforcement officials say one prison guard is in custody and the prison commander and sub-commander are wanted in connection with the death of a 19 year old inmate. Officials say the man was beaten to death.
More than 8000 prisoners are housed there.
Amy Isackson, KPBS news.
