Correctional officers at a Northern California prison shot and killed two inmates who were stabbing a fellow prisoner with makeshift weapons, authorities said Wednesday.

The attack happened around 11 a.m. Tuesday at the High Desert State Prison in Susanville, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation said in a statement.

The alleged attackers, Raul Cuen and Frank Nanez, refused to follow verbal orders from prison staff to stop attacking Anthony Aguilera, the statement said.

Officers then fired a warning shot and deployed chemical agents, but the men continued to ignore them, officials said.

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Raul Cuen and Frank Nanez

The alleged attackers, Frank Nanez and Raul Cuen, were struck by gunfire and died a short time later, officials said. (California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation via AP)

"Staff then fired additional rounds when the attack continued," the statement said.

Both Cuen and Nanez were struck by gunfire and died a short time later, officials said.

Anthony Aguilera

Aguilera, 68, was hospitalized in serious condition. (California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation via AP)

Cuen, 48, was incarcerated in 1994 on a life sentence for murder, while Nanez, 32, was serving seven years to life for first-degree murder.

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Prison cells

Cuen and Nanez allegedly stabbed Aguilera before correctional officers shot and killed them. (IStock)

Aguilera, 68, was hospitalized in serious condition. He is serving a sentence of life with the possibility of parole for attempted murder, officials said.

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The two officers, who were not identified, were placed on administrative leave during the investigation, consistent with CDCR policy.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.