An inmate is dead after an assault at Kern Valley State Prison in Delano.

Prison officials say guards observed Gilbert Garcia, 37, and Rodolfo Cortez, 43, attacking German Merino, 37, in the dayroom Friday evening. Staff broke up the fight and rendered aid to Merino, but he died about an hour after the attack.

An improvised weapon was recovered at the scene. No one else was injured.

Merino was serving a life sentence for first-degree murder. Garcia is serving 11 years for assault with a deadly weapon. Cortez is doing 24 years for robbery and assault with a deadly weapon on a peace officer.