Nov. 9, 2012 — A correctional officer at High Desert State Prison (HDSP) shot and killed a 23-year-old inmate during the attempted murder of another inmate Friday, Nov. 9. The inmate was shot after he failed to respond when correctional officers ordered him and an accomplice to halt their attack.

The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) sent a Deadly Force Investigations Team (DFIT) to the Susanville prison to investigate the use of deadly force.

The incident began at 11:05 a.m. when two inmates attacked a third inmate on a maximum-security yard. The inmate victim was knocked to the ground and the two attacking inmates kicked him in the head and stabbed him several times with an inmate-made weapon. The victim lost consciousness during the attack.

The attacking inmates ignored repeated orders to stop their attack, and a correctional officer discharged one round from his state-issued Mini-14 rifle. The round hit one of the attacking inmates, and he was pronounced dead at 11:17 a.m.

The inmate victim of the attack, age 29, suffered numerous stab and slash wounds, lacerations and injuries to his head. He was treated at the prison and is being monitored by medical staff. He is serving a 29-year, four-month sentence from Los Angeles County for assault likely to cause great bodily injury with gang enhancements.

The fatally wounded inmate was serving an 82-years-to-life sentence from San Diego County for first-degree murder. His name is being withheld pending notification of his next of kin.

The other inmate attacker, age 29, was not injured. He is serving a life without parole sentence from Riverside County for first-degree murder.

The names of the involved inmates are being withheld pending investigation.

Officers recovered one stabbing weapon. No employees were injured. 

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-40#1Suzann Dole2012-11-10 06:50

Ah, those CO's love to use their weapons! Shoot first and ask questions second!

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+30#2tired of ignorance2012-11-10 07:36

Suzanne Dole - your ignorance and judgement of those Correctional Officers is disgusting. Should they have let the situation escalate, possibly causing a riot and then risking injury to innocent employees?

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+12#3Guardsguard2012-11-10 07:36

Suzann, it's interesting how you are the first person to comment without knowing all the facts! Or do you know all the facts, and just aren't telling us?!?! That's right! I forgot! You were there, and you were just about to convince the convicted murderer to cease his attack and stop his attack

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+7#4Guardsguard2012-11-10 07:38

and realize the errors of his ways. I think he even told you that he was going to start a charity for victims and their families. You even saw a tear roll down his cheek, all from your wise eloquent words! It's sad, you would have saved his life and the lives of COUNTLESS OTHERS if only the

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+14#5Aj2012-11-10 07:39

By shooting they're under investigation, if they hadn't and the inmate being attacked suffered worse injuries or died, then they would've been under investigation for that. Most of the CO's are just normal people trying to make a living.

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+5#6Guardsguard2012-11-10 07:40

Correctional Peace Officer hadn't done his JOB and stopped the assault that more than likely would have killed the other inmate. Who's life was he supposed to save Suzann? The guy getting stabbed or the guy doing the stabbing? Why don't you tell us. You were there right?

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-7#7Callie2012-11-10 09:18

Do they ever release the names? I know someone up there so I was just wondering....

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+13#8jim2012-11-10 10:11

why is anyone even questioning this there all in there for a reason. because they are criminals. there should be no warning shots EVER. the way i see it one less criminal that could be realesed into my community

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-21#9Molly Berger2012-11-10 13:38

It's just like Shawshank Redemtion. The only difference between inmates and CO's is that the CO's have the guns. Killing is killing and murder is murder. But hey, it's vigilante justice here in Lasen County!

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+4#10Harold Jones2012-11-10 13:54

All it takes to bait these readers is a little violence and red meat!

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