SAN DIEGO. – This year, California’s prisons have been plagued by violence and fatalities, with at least eight inmates murdered, including one in San Diego. Additionally, three deaths from lethal force incidents, one suicide, and an attempted murder of two officers have been reported, according to statements from the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR). These incidents occurred between January and May across correctional facilities in San Diego, Susanville, Crescent City, Delano, Coalinga, Imperial, and Soledad.
Fights and Resistance
- May 3: Scott Cook was fatally assaulted by two inmates with homemade weapons at High Desert State Prison (HDSP) in Susanville.
- April 21: Michael R. Challoner died from multiple stab wounds following a fight at Pelican Bay State Prison (PBSP) in Crescent City.
- April 5: David Dodd was killed by another inmate at Kern Valley State Prison (KVSP) in Delano.
- February 5: Juan Trujillo was murdered in the recreational yard at Kern Valley State Prison (KVSP).
- April 3: Guy Pérez died after a brawl with two inmates at Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility (RJD) in San Diego.
- January 24: Jaime Ambriz was killed at Pleasant Valley State Prison in Coalinga.
- January 7: Enrique Saucedo lost his life in the recreation yard at Centinela State Prison (CEN) in Imperial.
- January 6: Son Tran was fatally wounded in his cell at Salinas Valley State Prison (SVSP) in Soledad.
Against Officers
- April 29: Daniel Jenkins, 68, committed suicide at San Quentin Rehabilitation Center. He had been serving a sentence since 1988 for the murder of an off-duty LAPD detective.
- At California Health Care Facility (CHCF) in Stockton: Inmate Brandon S. Keen attempted to murder two officers. He resisted handcuffing, retrieved a weapon, stabbed one officer twice, and cut another’s hand.
Lethal Force Incidents
Three deaths due to lethal force are under investigation:
- April 12: Christopher Leong died at California State Prison in Sacramento after assaulting staff. Officers used physical force to immobilize him, but he lost consciousness and stopped breathing.
- March 21: Joseph Altamirano died at HDSP in Susanville. After punching an officer and continuing to resist, officers used pepper spray and restrained him. He later had difficulty breathing and was declared dead by a hospital physician.
- January 25: Albaro Amaral was fatally shot by a correctional officer at HDSP while stabbing another inmate and ignoring orders to stop.
Caption
Attacks among inmates resulted in the deaths of at least 8 individuals serving their sentences in different state facilities.
March 21: Joseph Altamirano died at HDSP in Susanville. After punching an
officer and continuing to resist, officers used pepper spray and restrained him. He
later had difficulty breathing and was declared dead by a hospital physician.
January 25: Albaro Amaral was fatally shot by a correctional officer at HDSP
while stabbing another inmate and ignoring orders to stop.