Inmate dead in homicide investigation at Salinas Valley State Prison

SOLEDAD, Calif. (KION-TV) -- An inmate is dead with two others detained during a homicide investigation at Salinas Valley State Prison in Soledad.

According to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, the homicide took place after 5:39 p.m. with the victim, 36-year-old Joseph Mendoza, attacked by 30-year-old Edgar Frayre and 32-year-old Nicolas Young with makeshift weapons in one of the facilities.

Staff onsite issued commands but were ignored with staff then using less-than-lethal options to stop the incident.

Fraye and Young were handcuffed with Mendoza pronounced dead after medical aid attempts.

Fraye and Young are now in restrictive housing as the SVSP Investigative Services Unit and Monterey County District's Attorney's Office investigate the incident.