Suspects, victim indentified in murder, torture at Santa Clara County jail facility
Authorities in the South Bay have released the identities of three Santa Clara County jail inmates charged in the murder and torture of another inmate.
In a statement to CBS News Bay Area, the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office identified the suspects as 18-year-old Jose Rufino of San Jose, 38-year-old Jordan Haase of San Jose and 41-year-old Pedro Arevalos of San Mateo. All three men are suspected in a deadly attack of an inmate at the Elmwood Correctional Facility in Milpitas on Jan. 27.
The Santa Clara County Medical Examiner's Office has identified the victim as 22-year-old Oscar Umulxicay.
Around noon that day, a deputy conducting a routine welfare check found Umulxicay unconscious and with severe injuries. The victim was taken to a local hospital to undergo surgery for traumatic head injuries.
On Tuesday, authorities said Umulxicay died from his injuries. The incident took place in a "large, open, dormitory-style living space" consisting of several rows of metal bunk beds.
"This incident serves as a stark reminder of the challenges we face and the importance of our efforts to improve safety and support within our facilities," Sheriff Robert Jonsen said after Umulxicay's death.
Jonsen said the jail is taking steps to prevent a similar incident from happening again.
Deputies said Friday that detectives are investigating to determine whether the attack was gang-related. The sheriff's office went on to say that preliminary findings suggest routine welfare checks were done in a timely manner.
Following the incident, Rufino, Haase and Arevalos were moved to the Santa Clara County Main Jail.
According to court records, all three suspects are scheduled to appear in court for a plea hearing on Apr. 14.
