SAN DIEGO — Two inmates, including a convicted murderer, were holding a guard hostage at the downtown federal jail this morning, authorities said.
Bureau of Prisons personnel and FBI agents were negotiating with the prisoners for the guard's release, said Gavin O'Connor, a spokesman for the Metropolitan Correctional Center.
The prisoners, who were armed with at least one makeshift dagger, overpowered two guards about 9 p.m. Monday. One guard escaped shortly after the incident began and was slightly injured in escaping, the San Diego Union reported.
O'Connor identified the prisoners as Jose Rodriguez, 32, and Ernesto Olivo Cruz, 32. Both are awaiting sentencing for attempting to rob a federal agent.
