BAKERSFIELD, Calif.(KBAK/KBFX) — The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) is investigating the death of an inmate at Calipatria State Prison in Imperial County as a homicide. The incident on Thursday, Nov. 10, 2025, involved a former inmate from Kern County, Javier A. Torres.
At approximately 10:20 a.m., prison staff responded to an attack on inmate Alex Mercado by fellow inmates Eric Gonzalez and Javier A. Torres in an exercise yard. Staff used chemical agents to stop the assault and restrained Gonzalez and Torres. Despite life-saving efforts and activation of emergency services, Mercado was pronounced dead at 11:46 a.m. by the Imperial County Coroner after being transported to an outside medical facility.
No staff or additional inmates were injured during the incident. Officers recovered one improvised weapon at the scene. Gonzalez and Torres have been placed in restricted housing pending an investigation by the Calipatria State Prison Investigative Services Unit and the Imperial County District Attorney’s Office. The Office of the Inspector General has been notified, and the Imperial County Coroner will determine Mercado’s official cause of death…