An inmate beat his cellmate to death with his fists and feet while in San Diego County Sheriff's custody, officials confirmed Tuesday.
Investigators say on Friday evening, Joshua David McDaniels, 23, began attacking a 69-year-old fellow inmate without provocation at the Central Detention Facility.
McDaniels struck the man multiple times before deputies on duty responded and took McDaniels away.
They gave the injured inmate first aid and took him to a local hospital, but he died from his wounds.
The victim's identity is being withheld until his family is notified. The medical examiner's office said his cause and manner of death was homicide by blunt force trauma.
McDaniels has been rebooked on murder charges and is awaiting his arraignment.
Sheriff's homicide detectives have taken over the investigation.
