Death Investigation 

December 27, 2024 – Riverside County Sheriff’s Office officials report that on December 25, 2024, at 8:41 p.m., deputies assigned to the Larry Smith Correctional Facility in Banning were alerted of an altercation between two inmates within a cell. Deputies responded to the cell and deployed oleoresin capsicum spray (commonly referred to as pepper spray) into the cell to stop the inmates from fighting. The inmates were then handcuffed and separated. Soon after being removed from the cell, one of the inmates, identified as James Hirt, a 24-year-old resident of Norco, became unresponsive. Deputies and jail medical staff immediately began lifesaving measures. Paramedics were requested to the jail and continued lifesaving efforts, but Hirt was ultimately pronounced deceased at the scene.

Due to the circumstances, the Riverside Sheriff's Force Investigations Detail and the Riverside Sheriff's Corrections Central Investigations Unit responded to the scene and assumed the investigation. This is an active and ongoing investigation, and no further information will be released at this time.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact Riverside Sheriff's Investigator Scott Anderson or Riverside County District Attorney Investigator JR Ferrer at 951-955-2777.

Reporting Deputy: Sergeant Jarred Bishop

File # BC243600007

Source: Riverside County Sheriff’s Office