LOS ANGELES, CA – Authorities are investigating the in-custody death of a 24-year-old inmate at the Larry Smith Correctional Facility in Banning, California, after an altercation between two inmates on Christmas Day, officials confirmed Thursday.
Deputies with the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department responded to a report of a physical fight between two inmates inside a cell shortly before 8:45 p.m. Wednesday, according to a statement released by the department.
In an effort to break up the altercation, deputies deployed oleoresin capsicum spray, commonly known as pepper spray, into the cell before entering and handcuffing both inmates, authorities said.
Following the incident, one of the inmates, identified as James Hirt, of Norco, became unresponsive while being removed from the cell.
“Deputies and jail medical staff immediately began lifesaving measures,” the department stated. Paramedics were called to the scene and continued attempts to revive Hirt, but he was ultimately pronounced dead at the facility.
The cause of death has not yet been determined, and officials have not disclosed whether Hirt suffered physical injuries or a medical emergency during or after the confrontation.
The case is now being investigated by a specialized team of detectives from the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department and the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office, which conducts independent reviews of deaths in custody and use-of-force incidents involving law enforcement.
Authorities said the investigation is active and ongoing, and additional details will be released as more information becomes available.
Jail records show Hirt had been transferred to Riverside County from Atascadero State Hospital in San Luis Obispo County, a maximum-security psychiatric facility that houses inmates committed for mental health treatment.
Hirt was reportedly awaiting a competency hearing scheduled for December 30, officials confirmed. It remains unclear whether his transfer from the psychiatric facility was linked to his legal status or mental health condition.
Hirt’s death has sparked questions regarding inmate safety and use-of-force protocols within correctional facilities, particularly for detainees with mental health concerns.
Advocates for inmate rights have called for greater transparency and accountability, urging officials to release details about the circumstances leading up to the incident and whether deputies followed proper de-escalation procedures.
“This incident highlights the ongoing challenges facing incarcerated individuals with mental health issues,” said a spokesperson for a local prisoner advocacy group. “We will continue to monitor the investigation to ensure accountability.”
Officials have requested anyone with information related to the case to contact Riverside Sheriff’s Investigator Scott Anderson or Riverside County District Attorney Investigator JR Ferrer at 951-955-2777.
Anonymous tips can also be submitted through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or online at lacrimestoppers.org.
The investigation remains ongoing, and updates will be provided as authorities release additional findings.
