Investigation underway after inmate killed in attack at Folsom prison
Investigators are examining the circumstances surrounding the death of an inmate at California State Prison, Sacramento in Folsom after authorities say a 36-year-old inmate attacked another man on Tuesday morning. The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation said prison staff observed Julio Caesar Madrigal, 36, striking Danny Aguilar, 47 at about 9:30 a.m.
Correctional staff ordered inmates in the area to get down, but officials said Madrigal did not comply. Staff fired two less-lethal rounds to stop the attack, then began life-saving measures on Aguilar before moving him to the prison’s triage and treatment area. Officers called 911 and a physician later pronounced Aguilar dead, the department said. Prison staff were not injured.
Suspect restrained, homicide probe launched
Madrigal was restrained and placed in restricted housing and remains there pending investigations by the prison’s Investigative Services Unit and the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office. CDCR officials reported that an improvised weapon was recovered at the scene.
The victim, Aguilar, was received from Los Angeles County on Oct. 26, 2006, and was serving a life without the possibility of parole sentence, according to CDCR. Madrigal was received from Tulare County on June 9, 2022 and was serving life with the possibility of parole for a first-degree murder conviction.
Second fatality at the prison this week raises questions
The deadly attack is the second homicide investigation at the facility in the past week. On Aug. 11, staff found inmate Walter Badelle unconscious in his cell; he was later pronounced dead by outside ambulance personnel. Badelle’s cellmate, Jonathan Blackwell, was placed in handcuffs and moved to restricted housing following that discovery.
- Incident location: California State Prison, Sacramento (Folsom)
- Time reported: about 9:30 a.m. (Tuesday)
- Involved inmates: Julio Caesar Madrigal, 36 (attacker), Danny Aguilar, 47 (fatally injured)
The agency did not provide further details on what led to the Tuesday attack or on any prior interactions between the two men. The Investigative Services Unit and the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office will review the events to determine whether criminal charges or administrative action are warranted.
Local context and consequences
California State Prison, Sacramento is a high-security adult institution that houses inmates with long-term and life sentences. Two deaths at the same facility in a single week draw attention from both prison oversight bodies and the public, particularly family members of inmates and corrections personnel concerned about safety and staffing.
| Person | Received from | Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Danny Aguilar, 47 | Los Angeles County (Oct. 26, 2006) | Life without the possibility of parole |
| Julio Caesar Madrigal, 36 | Tulare County (June 9, 2022) | Life with possibility of parole (first-degree murder) |
Officials have said staff fired less-lethal rounds during the incident; those rounds are intended to subdue individuals without using deadly force, but their use will likely be reviewed as part of the broader investigation. Any determination about whether staff actions complied with department policies will rest with the Investigative Services Unit and the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office.
Prison deaths also prompt questions about contraband, inmate supervision and classification. In this case, CDCR confirmed an improvised weapon was found where the attack occurred. The discovery is likely to be examined alongside staffing levels, surveillance footage and other evidence as investigators reconstruct what happened.
Authorities did not release additional information about the ongoing investigations or a timeline for their completion.
Updates will be provided as officials release more details.
