2 Prisoners From San Diego County Accused Of Fatally Stabbing Inmate

SAN DIEGO, CA — Two men incarcerated for offenses in San Diego County are accused of attacking and killing another inmate at a prison in Northern California, officials announced.

John Patch, 30, and Zachary Harris, 36, both from San Diego County, are accused of fatally stabbing Scott Cook, 49, around 9:30 a.m. last Friday at High Desert State Prison in Susanville, according to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. Two inmate-manufactured weapons were found at the scene.

Cook suffered multiple stab wounds, according to the CDCR. Despite life-saving measures, he was pronounced dead by medical staff at 9:53 a.m. No staff or other inmates were injured.

Patch and Harris were moved to restricted housing while Cook's death is investigated, the CDCR said. The Office of the Inspector General was notified, and the Lassen County Coroner will determine Cook's official cause of death.

Cook was sent to High Desert State Prison in 2000. He had been convicted in the brutal Aug. 25, 1996, murder of Patrick Lynn Dailey in San Bernardino County.

At the time of his death, he was serving a life without parole sentence for first-degree murder, carjacking, kidnapping, grand theft and a firearm enhancement. He was also sentenced in Kern County to 16 years and eight months for assaulting a fellow inmate.

Patch was sentenced in 2022 to life with parole for second-degree murder and other offenses.

Harris was sentenced in 2021 to 24 years and eight months for second-degree attempted murder and other offenses. He was also sentenced in Kern County to 11 years for assaulting a fellow inmate.