Inmate convicted of murder in Turlock allegedly stabbed guard at Pelican Bay State Prison

A Ceres man convicted and sent to prison for a murder in Turlock may face new charges after attacking a guard at Pelican Bay State Prison, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation said Monday.

Devanae Price, 33, of Ceres, could face attempted murder charges after allegedly stabbing a prison guard multiple times in the head, according to the CDCR. Price was sent to prison on Nov. 7, 2017, after being sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole for the second-degree murder of Falane Jones, 37, in Turlock. Price was a second striker and was additionally convicted of possession of a firearm by a felon or drug addict as a second striker, with enhancements for a prior conviction for a serious misdemeanor, and intentionally discharging a firearm causing great bodily injury or death.

At approximately 6:30 p.m. on August 24, Price was being led to his cell at the detention center when he partially broke free of his handcuffs and struck an officer in the face with an inmate-made weapon. Staff responded immediately, but Price ignored orders to lie down. Price continued to strike the officer in the head and upper body, and staff had to use physical force to fend off the attack.

The officer was stabbed in the head and two stab wounds were discovered in his stab vest. A medical examination revealed swelling to the head and other minor injuries. The officer was transported to an outside medical facility, treated, and released that same evening, according to the CDCR.

The weapon was found at the crime scene.

Price remains in the housing unit. The prison is currently investigating the incident. The case will be forwarded to the Del Norte District Attorney's Office for possible criminal prosecution.

Price was found guilty of killing Jones in a shooting at about 10 p.m. on April 23, 2016, at the Villas Parkside Apartments at 381 W. Hawkeye Avenue in Turlock. Jones was in the parking lot of the apartment complex with his uncle when a black car pulled up and the driver opened fire on Jones.

Jones was shot four times in the face, chest and neck. He was taken to a nearby hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.

Jones was the father of a little girl and worked in a warehouse in Tracy.

Turlock Police investigators were able to obtain witness statements that provided them with a description of the vehicle and suspects. The area was searched immediately after the shooting, but the suspects were not found until several days later in Alameda County.

An Alameda County Sheriff's deputy attempted to stop a vehicle for a traffic violation when the driver, later identified as Price, sped away. The pursuit ended when Price crashed the Lexus into a house and he and the three passengers fled the scene. Price was eventually arrested.

Price was sentenced to four years and four months in prison by Del Norte County on July 7, 2022, for assault on a non-prisoner and resisting or deterring an officer by threats or violence while in a prison. He was also sentenced to four years in prison by Marin County on September 7, 2023, for possession or manufacture of a deadly weapon while in a prison as a second offender.