High Desert State Prison officials are investigating the death of an incarcerated man as a homicide after he was attacked by two other inmates.
According to details released by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, on February 1st, at approximately 6:30p.m., staff observed inmate Ricardo Palmerin punch inmate Christian Lepe, knocking him to the ground and hitting him with stabbing-like motions. Another inmate, David Morales joined in the attack.
Officers immediately responded and fired two rubber bullets at Palmerin, halting the violence.
Lepe suffered multiple stab wounds. Responding staff began life-saving measures and transported him to the prison’s medical facility where treatment continued. A doctor pronounced Lepe deceased at 7:30p.m.
Officers recovered two inmate-manufactured weapons at the scene of the attack. No staff members were injured in the altercation.
Palmerin and Morales have been placed in segregated housing pending an investigation into their involvement. Inmate movement has been limited.
The Lassen County District Attorney’s Office is assisting HDSP’s Investigative Services Unit. The Office of the Inspector General has been notified.
