Los Angeles County (Thechieftainspear) – A violent altercation at a Los Angeles County state prison led to the death of an inmate on Friday morning, according to officials. The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) confirmed that 39-year-old Joshua L. Peppers was fatally attacked by another inmate.
The incident occurred around 7:20 a.m. on the Facility C patio, where 42-year-old Terrance B. Shaw, a fellow inmate, allegedly assaulted Peppers. Prison staff quickly intervened, deploying chemical agents and non-lethal force to break up the attack.
Authorities have not yet disclosed the full details of the incident, but they did confirm that an improvised weapon was recovered at the scene. Following the attack, prison staff attempted life-saving measures and called for emergency medical assistance. Peppers was transported to the facility’s triage and treatment area before being taken to an outside hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 8:03 a.m.
Investigation and Security Measures
Shaw has been moved to restricted housing as investigators from the prison’s Investigative Services Unit and the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office review the case. The Office of the Inspector General has also been notified, and the Los Angeles County Coroner will determine Peppers’ official cause of death.
In response to the attack, prison officials have restricted movement on the Facility C patio while the investigation is underway. No additional injuries were reported.
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Background of the Inmates
Peppers had been serving time since September 26, 2017, after being convicted in San Bernardino County. He was sentenced to nine years for second-degree robbery as a second striker, with an enhancement for causing great bodily injury. In 2019, he received an additional sentence of six years and four months for another second-degree robbery conviction, this time with enhancements for firearm use and inflicting serious injury.
Shaw, the suspected attacker, was most recently sentenced on November 17, 2023, after being returned to prison from parole with new charges in Monterey County. His 14-year, four-month sentence includes multiple convictions: assault with force likely to cause great bodily injury, conspiracy to commit a crime, battery causing serious injury, and possession of a deadly weapon while incarcerated—each as a second-strike offense.
Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the attack while ensuring security measures remain in place at the facility .
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