FLORENCE - A federal prison riot Sunday afternoon left two inmates dead and five others injured.
The United States Penitentiary in Florence remained on lockdown status following the "inmate disturbance," according to officials. The riot was on the same complex as the Federal Penitentiary known as Supermax but did not take place there.
The U.S. Department of Justice has not released any details about the incident, however, sources tell KOAA, the NBC affiliate in Colorado Springs, that it appears to have started as a race riot, and that the incident is connected to Adolph Hitler's birthday, which was Sunday.
Two inmates, whose names were not released, were pronounced dead Sunday and five others were taken to nearby hospitals to be treated.
Officials say no one on staff was injured and the riot did not pose a threat to community members.
At this point, officials have not said specifically how the two inmates were killed. They have also not given information about the conditions of the five who were sent to the hospital.
The U.S. Penitentiary houses men only. It is a high security prison and all the inmates are considered "serious offenders".
An investigation continues and 9NEWS.com will continue to update this story as more information becomes available.
The United States Penitentiary in Florence remained on lockdown status following the "inmate disturbance," according to officials. The riot was on the same complex as the Federal Penitentiary known as Supermax but did not take place there.
The U.S. Department of Justice has not released any details about the incident, however, sources tell KOAA, the NBC affiliate in Colorado Springs, that it appears to have started as a race riot, and that the incident is connected to Adolph Hitler's birthday, which was Sunday.
Two inmates, whose names were not released, were pronounced dead Sunday and five others were taken to nearby hospitals to be treated.
Officials say no one on staff was injured and the riot did not pose a threat to community members.
At this point, officials have not said specifically how the two inmates were killed. They have also not given information about the conditions of the five who were sent to the hospital.
The U.S. Penitentiary houses men only. It is a high security prison and all the inmates are considered "serious offenders".
An investigation continues and 9NEWS.com will continue to update this story as more information becomes available.
