US federal prisons under nationwide lockdown after fight at Texas facility

WASHINGTON

US federal prisons are under a lockdown Tuesday after two inmates were killed during a fight at a facility in the state of Texas.

In a statement to Anadolu Agency, the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) said it is “securing our facilities as a temporary measure to ensure the good order of our institutions" in an abundance of caution.

"We anticipate this security measure will be short-lived," it said.

Multiple inmates engaged in a fight at the United States Penitentiary (USP) Beaumont in Beaumont, Texas. Four inmates were transported to a local hospital. Two inmates, Guillermo Riojas and Andrew Pineda, died from their injuries.

"The BOP will continue to monitor events carefully and will adjust its operations accordingly as the situation evolves," according to the agency.

The BOP also said Monday that the FBI was notified and no staff or other inmates were injured and at no time was the public in danger.

USP Beaumont is a high-security facility that houses 1,372 male offenders. Across the country, there are 122 prisons, according to the BOP.