Inmate dies at Wasco State Prison

David Dominguez, 29, died at Wasco State Prison around 4 p.m. on Saturday, with prison officials investigating his death as a homicide, the state Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation said Monday.

Dominguez was discovered in a day room, being assisted by other inmates, the prison said. He reportedly informed staff that he had a seizure and fell.

Investigators said a video has emerged showing two inmates, Jose Landeros, 27, and Michael S. Padilla, 37, fighting with Dominguez earlier in the day. The Kern County District Attorney’s Office and Wasco State Prison investigators are examining the incident. Additionally, four other inmates – Robert Rubalcava, 40, Leonel A. Torres, 40, Zakary W. White, 27, and Mario Aguillon, 37 – have been placed in restricted housing during the investigation.

The Kern County Coroner’s Office will release Dominguez’s official cause of death at a later date.