A Bakersfield Police officer shot and killed a man Tuesday after a short pursuit involving three people suspected of a pair of armed robberies.
Police said the shooting happened after officers attempted to make a traffic stop at 9:15 p.m. at Taft Highway and south Union Avenue of a maroon Jeep that had three suspects in the vehicle. After a short pursuit, the driver of the vehicle struck a tree. With the Jeep disabled, police said the driver fled the vehicle but an officer fired at the suspect, striking him. Medical aid was called to the scene, but the wounded suspect was pronounced dead at the scene.
The first robbery happened at 1:52 p.m. at All India Sweets and Grocery, 1715 S. Real Road, when two suspects entered the store, pointed firearms at the employees and demanded money. After taking the money, the two suspects fled the scene. About two hours later, two suspects entered a recycling center in the 8200 block of Stockdale Highway, pointed guns at employees and demanded money. They also fled the scene, with an undisclosed sum, in a maroon colored Jeep SUV.
Police said their investigation led to the area of Taft Highway and south Union Avenue, with a report of a maroon colored SUVand that’s when the pursuit began. The driver of the Jeep was taken into custody after a short pursuit, and police describe that they had to use “minor physical force” to arrest the suspect. Another passenger in the vehicle surrendered to police without incident.
A search of the Jeep found a firearm, but police did not provide further details.
The officer that fired his weapon will be placed on routine administrative leave pending review by the critical incident review board.
Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to contact Detective Chris Feola (661) 326-3513, or the Bakersfield Police Department (661) 327-7111.
