On June 19, 2017 at approximately 4:25 a.m., officers with the Tehachapi Police Department received a report of a man with a gun near the intersection of Valley Boulevard and Tucker Road.
Before officers arrived, additional information was received indicating the male suspect had fired at least two rounds from the firearm. Officers immediately detained Daniel Diaz-Astorga, 32, of Tehachapi, and located a loaded rifle nearby. Officers discovered the rifle had a large-capacity magazine inserted and was unregistered.
Officers learned that a vehicle traveling eastbound on Valley Boulevard at Tucker Road had been struck by gunfire. The bullet penetrated the front windshield and entered the passenger side front seat headrest.
The lone occupant of this vehicle was not injured. Officers later discovered an additional vehicle had been struck by the gunfire. This vehicle was also traveling eastbound on Valley Boulevard near Tucker Road when a bullet struck the front driver side of the vehicle and entered the engine compartment. The lone occupant of this vehicle was also not injured.
Diaz-Astorga was identified as the shooter and was believed to be under the influence of methamphetamine. The initial investigation indicates Diaz-Astorga is not known by either of the victims. It appears he randomly selected the passing vehicles he intentionally fired upon. Diaz-Astorga was booked into the Kern County Jail for attempted murder and various weapons and assault charges.
Anyone with information regarding the incident should contact the Tehachapi Police Department at 661-822-2222.
