L.A.-area gang leader stabbed to death while serving life sentence

A Panorama City gang leader serving a life sentence behind bars was fatally stabbed in prison, state Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation officials said Monday.

Ezequiel Romo, 47, was attacked and repeatedly stabbed by three other inmates in a dayroom at Centinela State Prison in Imperial County around 8:05 p.m. Sunday, according to the department.

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Corrections officials identified the attackers as Cristian Moreno, Johnny S. Garcia and Christian O. Hernandez.

"Staff immediately responded, issuing verbal orders to stop; however, it required four applications of pepper spray to quell the attack," according to the state. "Two inmate-manufactured weapons were recovered at the scene."

Romo was pronounced dead at 9:52 p.m.

Romo was sentenced last year to life in prison without the possibility of parole for his conviction on charges of murder, attempted murder and conspiracy to commit murder. Prosecutors said he ordered killings on behalf of his Panorama City gang.

Moreno, 31, Garcia, 39, and Hernandez, 41, were all also sent to prison from Los Angeles County. According to CDCR:

-- Moreno was imprisoned in August 2015 and is serving 20 years for escape from county jail/prison with force, criminal threat to cause great bodily injury/death, and assault with force likely to cause great bodily injury;

-- Garcia was imprisoned in September 2009 and is serving sentenced to life with the possibility of parole for attempted second-degree murder, first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, first-degree robbery and kidnap/ransom/extortion with enhancements for use of a firearm. In 2018, he was sentenced to eight years for an assault with a deadly weapon committed behind bars; and

-- Hernandez was imprisoned in April 2006 and is serving life without the possibility of parole for first-degree murder. In 2021, he was sentenced to two years for bringing a controlled substance/alcohol on the grounds of a penal institution.

The three suspects were moved to restricted housing pending an investigation of the killing.

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