Officials are investigating the death of an incarcerated person at Centinela State prison.
Shortly after 8;00 p.m. on Sunday, officers saw three incarcerated individuals attacking another prisoner in a dayroom. Staff responded with verbal orders to stop and then four applications of pepper spray to stop the attack. Ezequiel Romo, 47, serving a life sentence without possibility of parole out of Los Angeles County, died of multiple stab wounds. Three individuals, Christian Moreno, 31, serving 20 years for a variety of crimes in Los Angeles County, Johnny S. Garcia, 31, serving a life sentence with possibility of parole, out of Los Angeles County, and 41-year-old Christian O. Hernandez, sentenced to life without the possibility of parole, out of Los Angeles County, have been moved to restricted housing pending investigation into the case. Two inmate-manufactured weapons were recovered.
Romo has been described as a notorious gang leader from Panorama City in Los Angeles County. in addition to the sentence of life without the possibility of parole for first degree murder, was also serving sentences for conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, and attempted conspiracy to commit second-degree murder.