June 28, 2023 - IMPERIAL – California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) officials are investigating the death of an incarcerated person at Centinela State Prison (CEN) as a homicide.

On Tuesday, June 27, at 10:36 a.m., staff responded when incarcerated person Taylor Faatai allegedly attacked another incarcerated person, Antonio Harris. Staff contained the incident within minutes.

Harris sustained multiple stab wounds and was taken to an on-site medical facility while lifesaving measures were performed. However, he was pronounced deceased at 11:09 a.m. by a paramedic. No staff or additional incarcerated people were injured.

Faatai has moved to the Administrative Segregation Unit pending investigation of this case. Officials have limited population movement on the yard to facilitate the investigation. The Office of the Inspector General was notified and the Imperial County Coroner will determine Harris’ official cause of death.

Harris, 30, was admitted from Riverside County on July 14, 2017. He was sentenced to 15 years, four months for first-degree burglary as a second-striker and possession or ownership of a firearm by a felon or addict, and second-degree robbery. Additionally, he received enhancements for street gang activity in commission of a serious felony.

Faatai, 25, was admitted from Los Angeles County on April 8, 2022. He was sentenced to 50 years to life with the possibility of parole for first-degree murder with an enhancement for intentional discharge of a firearm causing great bodily injury or death, and possession or ownership of a firearm by a felon or addict.

CEN opened in 1993 and houses approximately 3,000 incarcerated people. It is located near the town of Imperial in Southern California. CEN offers academic classes, vocational programs, rehabilitative programs, medical services and mental health treatment, religious services, work assignments and self-help groups, and employs approximately 1,200 people.


Source: CDCR