A Panorama City Gang Leader Stabbed to Death in Prison
Ezequiel Romo, a notorious gang leader from Panorama City, was tragically stabbed to death in prison by three other inmates. The incident took place at Centinela State Prison in Imperial County, where Romo was serving his sentence. The attack occurred in a break room on Sunday, July 21, at 8 p.m. and resulted in multiple stab wounds.
Attackers Identified and Response by Correctional Officials
The three inmates responsible for the attack were identified as Christian Moreno, Johnny S. Garcia, and Christian O. Hernandez. Correctional officials acted swiftly, issuing verbal commands to stop the assault. However, it took four rounds of pepper spray to finally bring the attack to a halt. Two improvised weapons were recovered from the scene, indicating the premeditation of the attack.
Background of the Attackers and Subsequent Actions
Following the incident, Moreno, Garcia, and Hernandez were placed in restrictive housing pending further investigation. Each of the attackers had a history of violent crimes:
– Christian Moreno, 31, has been serving a 20-year sentence since August 2015 for violent escape, criminal threats causing serious bodily injury/death, and violent assault likely to cause serious bodily injury.
– Johnny S. Garcia, 39, was incarcerated in September 2009 and is currently serving a sentence with the possibility of parole for various charges including attempted murder, first-degree murder, and robbery. In 2018, he received an additional eight-year sentence for assault with a deadly weapon.
– Christian O. Hernandez, 41, has been behind bars since April 2006 for first-degree murder and is serving a life sentence without parole. In 2021, he was sentenced to two years in prison for bringing a controlled substance into a penal institution.
The brutal murder of Ezequiel Romo has sent shockwaves through the prison system, prompting a closer look at security measures and gang activities behind bars.
Originally published: July 23, 2024 9:13 am
