High Desert State Prison officials are investigating the death of an inmate as a homicide after two other inmates attacked him.
According to details released by the California Department of Corrections, staff saw inmates Jose R. Castillo and Victor M. Zapien attack inmate Richard Prieto on the Facility D yard on January 27th at 2:29p.m.
Officers immediately responded by issuing a warning shot and using chemical agents to quell the incident.
Prieto, 44, suffered multiple puncture wounds to his chest, back, head and neck. Responding staff transported him to the prison’s medical facility and life-saving measures were given. A doctor pronounced Prieto deceased at 3:02 p.m.
Officers recovered two metal inmate-manufactured weapons at the scene. No staff members were injured in the altercation.
Castillo and Zapien have been placed in segregated housing pending an investigation into their involvement.
The Lassen County District Attorney’s Office is assisting HDSP’s Investigative Services Unit. The Office of the Inspector General has been notified.
