North Kern State Prison is investigating the death of an incarcerated person as a homicide

DELANO – Officials with the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation are investigating the November 10, 2024 death of an incarcerated person at North Kern State Prison (NKSP) as a homicide.

At 7:38 p.m., officers observed three incarcerated individuals, Jose Gonzalez, Eric Servin and Alfred R. Rodriguez, allegedly attacking Nick V. Lopez at a recreation yard. Officers immediately suppressed the incident with pepper spray. They initiated life-saving measures and activated the emergency call 911. Emergency responders arrived on scene and continued to perform life-saving measures. Paramedics pronounced Lopez dead at 8:51 p.m

No other injuries were reported. Gonzalez, Servin and Rodriguez have been placed in special housing while the NKSP Investigative Services Unit continues its investigation. The Inspector General's Office has been notified and the Kern County Coroner will determine the cause of Lopez's death.

Three weapons made by detainees were found at the crime scene.

Lopez, 55, was last admitted from Los Angeles County on Nov. 28, 2022, and was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole for first-degree murder as a third-degree felony, with surcharges for prior felony convictions.

Gonzalez, 48, was most recently sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole in Los Angeles County on November 30, 2006, for first-degree murder. While incarcerated, on August 19, 2024, Kern County sentenced him to 12 years in prison for assault by an incarcerated person with a deadly weapon/instrument, with one count of aggravated assault.

Servin, 37, was last seen out of Los Angeles County on November 20, 2018 and was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole for second-degree murder. While incarcerated, he was sentenced on November 5, 2018 by Los Angeles County to two years for possession/manufacture of a deadly weapon by an incarcerated person and on June 2, 2022 by Kern County to four years for assault on an incarcerated person with one deadly weapon or violence that could cause serious bodily harm as a second attack.

Rodriguez, 37, was received from San Bernardino County on Sept. 16, 2008, and sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole for second-degree murder.

Opened in April 1993, NKSP is a medium security prison and reception center (RC) housing approximately 3,100 detainees. The general population of the facility focuses on providing educational/vocational opportunities.

Nick V. Lopez (deceased)