BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — There have been two drive-by shootings on Highway 58 within the past few weeks: Tuesday morning around 12:30 a.m. on the off-ramp and two weeks ago on Sept. 5, involving a family of eight, which CHP responded to.
The Bakersfield Police Department does not believe these two instances are related.
“This does not appear to be a random event, there are some factors that I will not release that lead us to believe that there is a potential that it is a gang-related shooting," said Sargeant Robert Pair of BPD.
Pair says the victim’s vehicle was exiting Highway 58, onto South H Street when a black SUV pulled alongside it and began to fire.
Sgt. Pair tells 23ABC, victims inside the vehicle were black, a man, a woman, and her three children including a three-year-old boy, a five-year-old boy, and a nine-year-old girl.
The gunshots striking the man, the three-year-old boy, and the nine-year-old girl.
Pair adds that this drive-by shooting bears a resemblance to the gang-related murders of two children, Kayson Guyton who died in a drive-by shooting in 2017, and Major Sutton who was murdered in his home in 2018.
“Who were tragically killed for no good reason. And as a community if we don’t put our foot down together and collectively and say that this type of behavior is unacceptable, then we’re in for a dangerous road,” said Pair.
Pair added that after the shooting all three shooting victims were able to receive treatment at a hospital, where they are listed in stable condition.
“We will pursue this investigation to the furthest extent that is our legal capability.”
This is the second drive-by shooting to happen on and off, Highway 58 in the last two weeks, while in separate locations.
As for the second drive-by shooting case, California Highway Patrol’s Robert Rodriguez is not ruling the September 5 drive-by on Eastbound Highway 58 as gang violence.
The suspect in Tuesday morning's case has yet to be detained or identified. Anyone with information can call BPD at (661) 327-7111 with information.
Sgt. Pair says they can remain anonymous.
As for the September 5 case, CHP says they have also not identified the suspect in that case.
Call CHP at (661) 396-6600 with any information.
