The death of an incarcerated man who was allegedly assaulted by two fellow inmates at Centinela State Prison in Southern California is now being investigated as a homicide, according to state corrections officials. The incident occurred on Sunday in the prison’s recreational yard, where officers had to use pepper spray multiple times to stop the attack on Enrique Saucedo. Despite being rushed to a medical center, the 29-year-old victim was pronounced dead in the emergency room.
Authorities have recovered two inmate-manufactured weapons from the scene and have placed the alleged attackers, who are both serving murder sentences, in restricted housing. The investigation into Saucedo’s death is being conducted by prison officials and the county district attorney’s office. The official cause of death will be determined by the county coroner.
Fortunately, no staff members or other inmates were injured during the incident. Saucedo, who was sentenced in 2018 for distributing assault weapons and a controlled substance, had been serving a 14-year sentence at Centinela State Prison. The facility houses approximately 2,300 inmates and is located about 100 miles east of San Diego, near the Mexico border.
This tragic incident highlights the ongoing challenges faced by the prison system in ensuring the safety and security of both inmates and staff. The investigation will shed light on the circumstances surrounding the assault and any potential lapses in security measures. The outcome of this case will have significant implications for the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and may lead to policy changes to prevent similar incidents in the future.
