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Bakersfield Police involved in a shooting after suspect tries to steal construction equipment

BPD involved in a shooting in Downtown Bakersfield
BPD involved in a shooting in Downtown Bakersfield
BPD involved in a shooting in Downtown Bakersfield
BPD involved in a shooting in Downtown Bakersfield
Posted at 3:37 PM, Nov 30, 2020
and last updated 2020-12-01 19:06:24-05

UPDATE: Bakersfield police are investigating an officer-involved shooting that happened Monday afternoon in Downtown Bakersfield. The incident began around 3:15 p.m.

According to the Bakersfield Police Department, a man attempted to steal a piece of heavy equipment from a road construction site in the 2000 block of Truxtun Ave by driving off in it. The piece of equipment was described as a skip loader.

A witness told BPD that the suspect was having difficulty operating the machine and abandoned it after driving it on the roadway. The suspect then got into an older Nissan pick-up truck and circled the area several times.

Officers confronted the suspect while he was sitting in his truck in the eastbound lane of Truxton Ave. That's when an officer-involved shooting occurred and the suspect was struck at least one time. The suspect was transported to a local hospital where he is listed in critical, but stable condition.

Two officers were involved in the incident and both were wearing body cameras. In addition, there were several witnesses.

Officials are still processing the scene and the investigation is still in its early stages. It is unknown at this time if the suspect had a gun or why shots were fired.

According to the BPD, "Two officers were involved in the use of force. Both officers are on administrative leave. As is standard in critical incidents, an administrative and criminal investigation are being conducted. At the conclusion of the investigation, the details will be submitted to the Kern County District Attorney’s Office for independent review. Body-worn camera footage was obtained and will be released to the public as the investigation progresses."

One officer suffered minor injuries, but the extent of the injuries is unknown at this time.

Anyone with information regarding this investigation is encouraged to call the Bakersfield Police Department at (661) 327-7111.


The Bakersfield Police Department is on the scene of a shooting involving one of its officers in Downtown Bakersfield, according to the BPD Twitter page.

Just after 3:30 p.m., BPD Tweeted:

This is a developing story.