Homicide investigation underway after inmate stabbed in attack at Northern California prison
Authorities have launched a homicide investigation into the death of an inmate who was stabbed in an attack Tuesday evening at a California prison in Lassen County.
Juan Linares, 44, died after he was seriously wounded in the attack at the High Desert State Prison in Susanville, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation announced Wednesday in a news release.
Zachary Barron, 32, another inmate at the prison, is accused of stabbing Linares, CDCR officials said. Barron has since been placed in restricted housing at the prison while Linares’ death is under investigation.
The stabbing occurred about 6:15 p.m. Tuesday. CDCR officials said prison staff spotted Barron attacking Linares; using an improvised weapon to stab Linares multiple times. Correctional officers responded and stopped the attack.
Linares was taken to the prison’s Correctional Treatment Center, where his condition worsened and required life-saving measures. CDCR officials said medical staff performed CPR and wound care, but Linares was pronounced dead at 7:09 p.m. Tuesday by a physician at an outside hospital.
The prison’s Investigative Services Unit and the Lassen County District Attorney’s Office are investigating the attack and Linares’ death. CDCR officials said authorities notified the California Office of the Inspector General of the prison death, and the Lassen County Coroner will determine Linares’ cause of death.
Linares was serving a prison sentenced of 36 years to life for a Alameda County conviction of second-degree murder. He was transferred to CDCR custody on Oct. 20, 2009.
Barron is serving a prison sentence of 14 years to life for a San Bernardino County conviction of first-degree murder. He was transferred to CDCR custody on Dec. 5, 2019.
High Desert State Prison opened in 1995 and houses roughly 3,300 inmates at various custody levels.
