November 14, 2024 - DELANO – California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation officials are investigating the Nov. 10, 2024, death of an incarcerated person at North Kern State Prison (NKSP) as a homicide.
At 7:38 p.m., officers observed three incarcerated persons, Jose Gonzalez, Eric Servin and Alfred R. Rodriguez, allegedly attacking Nick V. Lopez in a recreation yard. Officers immediately quelled the incident using pepper spray. They initiated life-saving measures and activated 911. Emergency medical personnel arrived on the scene and continued administering life-saving measures. Paramedics pronounced Lopez deceased at 8:51 p.m.
No other injuries were reported. Gonzalez, Servin and Rodriguez have been placed in restricted housing as NKSP’s Investigative Services Unit continues its investigation The Office of the Inspector General has been notified and the Kern County Coroner will determine Lopez’s cause of death.
Three weapons manufactured by incarcerated persons were found at the scene.
Lopez, 55, was most recently received from Los Angeles County on Nov. 28, 2022, sentenced to life with the possibility of parole for first-degree murder as a third-striker, with enhancements for prior felony convictions of a serious offense.
Gonzalez, 48, was most recently sentenced by Los Angeles County on Nov. 30, 2006, to life without the possibility of parole for first-degree murder. While incarcerated, he was sentenced by Kern County on Aug. 19, 2024, to 12 years for assault by an incarcerated person with a deadly weapon/instrument as a second striker, with an enhancement for inflicting great bodily injury.
Servin, 37, was most recently received from Los Angeles County on Nov. 20, 2018, sentenced to life with the possibility of parole for second-degree murder. While incarcerated, he was sentenced by Los Angeles County on Nov. 5, 2018, to two years for possession/manufacture of a deadly weapon by an incarcerated person, and sentenced by Kern County on June 2, 2022, to four years for assault by an incarcerated person with a deadly weapon or force likely to cause great bodily injury as a second-striker.
Rodriguez, 37, was received from San Bernardino County on Sept. 16, 2008, sentenced to life with the possibility of parole for second-degree murder.
NKSP opened in April 1993 and is a medium security prison as well as a Reception Center (RC), housing approximately 3,100 incarcerated people. The general population portion of the institution focuses on providing educational/vocational opportunities.
Source: CDCR
