20 Charged in Gang-Related Nevada Prison Fight That Left 3 Inmates Dead

A brutal gang-related fight at eastern Nevada's Ely State Prison in summer 2024 left three inmates dead and several others injured. Now, state prosecutors have charged 20 people in connection with the deadly brawl, which erupted inside the maximum-security facility in July 2024. Authorities say the charges include first-degree murder and attempted murder with the use of a deadly weapon to promote or assist a criminal gang. The incident has reignited concerns about safety and gang activity within Nevada’s prison system, as well as the overall conditions behind bars.

How the Fight Unfolded

The fight broke out just before 9:40 a.m. on July 30, 2024, at Ely State Prison. According to the White Pine County Sheriff's Office, deputies were called to the facility after receiving reports of a large-scale fight between inmates. By the time they arrived, three inmates had already died from multiple sharp force injuries.

In addition to the fatalities, five other inmates were injured in the fight, some requiring transport by medical helicopter to hospitals for treatment. Authorities have not disclosed what weapons were used in the attack. The Nevada Governor's Office later confirmed the fight was gang-related, though officials have not publicly stated which gangs were involved.

The prison was placed on lockdown for at least two days after the fight. While no correctional officers were harmed, concerns about retaliation remain.

The Inmates Killed

The three inmates who died in the fight were identified as Connor Brown, 22; Anthony Williams, 41; and Zacharia Luz, 43. Brown had been serving a sentence of seven to 20 years for robbery with a deadly weapon after pleading guilty to stabbing a gas station clerk and a casino patron during a 2020 robbery in Reno, Nevada. Williams was serving a life sentence without the possibility of parole for open murder and habitual criminal charges. Luz was serving a seven- to 18-year sentence for racketeering.

Both Williams and Luz were known members of the Aryan Warriors, a white supremacist prison gang. Luz had been identified as the group's leader, while Williams was also tied to a 2016 murder at High Desert State Prison.

Fallout and Prison Security Concerns

In response to the deadly fight, Nevada officials made significant changes to the state's prison system. In September 2024, the Nevada Department of Corrections (NDOC) announced that High Desert State Prison in southern Nevada would replace Ely State Prison as the state's maximum-security facility. Nearly 2,000 inmates were transferred between the two prisons during the security shift.

"The change will ensure the highest-risk offenders be housed where staffing levels are greater, and the institution is closer to outside law-enforcement and medical services, if necessary," the NDOC said in a statement, according to USA TODAY.

Ely State Prison has long faced criticism from advocates over its conditions, particularly extreme temperatures and inadequate food. In December 2022, nearly 40 inmates staged a hunger strike to protest living conditions.

The incident has also drawn attention to broader issues within the U.S. prison system. Reports of overcrowding, understaffing, and gang violence have plagued correctional facilities nationwide. While Nevada officials have vowed to hold those responsible accountable, the fight at Ely State Prison continues to raise concerns about the safety and management of high-risk inmates.

References: After Nevada prison brawl kills 3 inmates, 20 people are charged | 20 people charged in Nevada maximum-security prison brawl that left 3 inmates dead