3 Inmates Dead in Turbulent Brawl at Tucson’s Arizona State Prison; Life Sentence Suspect Behind Bloodshed

Three inmates lost their lives following a violent altercation at the Arizona State Prison Complex in Tucson on Friday morning, according to prison officials.

The alleged perpetrator, Ricky Wassenaar, had just been transferred to the Cimarron Unit that same day. Wassenaar is currently serving 16 life sentences stemming from a 2004 standoff at the Buckeye prison.

The victims included Saul Alvarez, Thorne Harnage, and Donald Lashley, all of whom were serving lengthy sentences for serious crimes.

Wassenaar’s criminal history is extensive. He has served time for a 1987 armed robbery and received multiple sentences for aggravated assault in 1997. His most notorious crime occurred in 2004 when he and another inmate held two prison guards hostage for over two weeks, resulting in grievous offenses and subsequent life sentences.

Following the incident, Wassenaar was transferred to the Browning Unit, a high-security area within the Florence prison complex.

Saul Alvarez had been sentenced to life without parole for first-degree murder in connection with a 1997 crime in Maricopa County. Thorne Harnage was convicted in 2024 for sexual conduct with a minor and was sentenced to 35 years to life for his 2016 offense. Donald Lashley received a similar sentence in 2023 for multiple counts of sexual misconduct with minors.

In response to the tragic event, officials at the Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation & Reentry stated that they take violence within the prison very seriously and will prosecute anyone involved. An initial criminal investigation has begun with oversight from the Office of the Inspector General and local medical examiner.

As a precaution, visitation at the prison facility was suspended following the incident, which has raised concerns. The facility in Tucson can accommodate over 5,400 inmates across its eight units.

This incident marks the fifth homicide in Arizona state prisons since the fiscal year began in July, following a year that saw two inmate homicides in 2024 and three in fiscal year 2023.