The Bakersfield Police Department has named an officer involved in a shooting of a suspect on May 18.
In a news release, police said the officer involved in the shooting was Jonathan Berumen. The release said Berumen has worked for the Bakersfield Police Department since January of 2013, and this is his first officer involved shooting.
On May 18, 2017 at 10:36 p.m., officers with the Bakersfield Police Department were dispatched to an apartment complex located in the 2500 block of Bishop Drive for a domestic dispute involving a male and female. A single officer unit arrived moments later and observed an involved male subject, Jesus Bello, 19, of Bakersfield, standing at the front of the apartment complex. As the officer attempted to speak with Bello, he began running and the officer gave chase.
During the foot pursuit Bello pointed a firearm at the officer and fired several rounds, which ultimately resulted in an officer involved shooting. Bello continued to run from the officer and eventually climbed on the roof of a nearby structure. Once contained on the top of the structure, Bello discarded a firearm and was taken into custody without further incident. Bello sustained a minor injury to his finger, which was not related to gunfire.
Upon inspecting the firearm Bello had in his possession, it was determined to be a “blank gun” imitation firearm. A blank gun imitation firearm sounds and looks similar to a normal firearm; however, it cannot fire a bullet, police said. Investigators located numerous spent shell casings in the path of the foot pursuit, which were fired from the imitation firearm Bello had in his possession.
Bello was arrested and booked into the Kern County Jail for brandishing an imitation firearm, resisting arrest, and participation in a criminal street gang. A bail enhancement was also obtained for Bello in the amount of $555,000.
Berumen was placed on routine administrative leave, pending review by the critical incident review board.
Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to contact Detective Glen Davis (661) 326-3511, or the Bakersfield Police Department (661) 327-7111.
