TECUMSEH, Neb. (AP) — Authorities say two inmates have been placed in solitary confinement after assaulting a staff member at the Tecumseh State Correctional Institution, where a riot earlier this year left two other inmates dead.

According to James Foster, spokesman for the State Department of Correctional Services, the inmates struck the employee with their fists. Foster says other correctional officers subdued the inmates with pepper spray before restraining them.

The employee was treated by prison medical staff and did not seek additional treatment outside the facility.

Officials are investigating what led to the incident and are trying to determine whether to turn the matter over to the Nebraska State Patrol for additional investigation.