Inmate death at local prison being investigated as homicide

The death of an inmate at the Centinela State Prison that happened Wednesday afternoon is now being investigated as a homicide.

According to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation , inmate Matthew Herrera was attacked by two other inmates in the prison’s housing unit. At around 2:20 p.m., inmates, Carlos Monge , and Martin Lara Jr. were seen attacking Herrera. After staff intervened, Herrera was found stabbed multiple times and was pronounced dead at 3:12 p.m. by prison medical staff.

Prison officials said two inmate-manufactured weapons were found in the cell. The suspects, Monge and Lara, were placed in the prison’s segregation unit. Inmate movement throughout the prison has been limited until the investigation is completed.

Herrera was serving a life sentence with the possibility of parole for first-degree murder.

Monge is serving a life sentence with the possibility of parole for attempted second-degree murder and intentional discharge of a firearm causing great bodily injury/death.

Lara Jr. is serving a life sentence with the possibility of parole for second-degree murder and shooting from a motor vehicle.