BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — The man arrested for the murder of Sara Bustamante admitted to shooting her because he thought she was a rival gang member, court documents stated.
In an interview with a Bakersfield Police officer, 20-year-old Keontay Shoemake said he was an "active blood gang member" and came across 38-year-old Bustamante near Tommy's Liquor Store located on Chester Avenue. Shoemake reportedly told investigators that he shot Bustamante once before he realized that she was the wrong person. Shoemake said that after he heard her cry he decided to leave his car and shoot her once more because he "believed she was going to die anyways".
After Bustmante's body was found on October 5 near Tommy's Liquor Store, officials served a search warrant at Shoemake's home. During their search they found a .22 caliber revolver in which Shoemake admitted to cops was the murder weapon he used to shoot Bustamante.
In an interview with police, Shoemake's girlfriend said that she knew he committed the homicide but had threatened her and her family if she told anyone he was responsible for the murder.
Shoemake was arrested almost a month later for murder, criminal threats, illegal weapons possession and gang participation. He was transported and booked into the Kern County jail.
