Critical Incident- Highway 58 On April 10, 2026, at about 5:30 p.m....

Critical Incident- Highway 58

On April 10, 2026, at about 5:30 p.m. Kern County Sheriff’s Office deputies were dispatched to the 500 block of South Pepper Drive for a report of a shooting. Deputies arrived and the suspect fled.

Deputies pursued the suspect for several minutes and ultimately terminated the pursuit due to unsafe driving conditions.

Deputies learned that the suspect vehicle was involved in a traffic collision on east bound Highway 58 east of Weedpatch Highway at approximately 6:00 p.m. At the same time, a victim of a gunshot wound was privately transported to the hospital, and it was determined that it was in connection with the initial reported shooting. Deputies arrived at the scene of the collision and attempted contact with the suspect. During the contact an officer involved shooting occurred.

The suspect was declared deceased on the scene. Identity will be released by the Kern County Coroner at a later date.

No deputies were injured in the officer involved shooting.

KCSO Homicide Detectives responded to the scene to assume the investigation.

Kern County Sheriff's Office detectives investigate any use of deadly force by any member of the department. Investigations are submitted to the Kern County District Attorney's Office for criminal review.

Further information will be released at the conclusion of the investigation.

Anyone with information regarding this investigation is urged to call the Kern County Sheriff’s Office at (661)861-3110 or Kern Secret Witness at (661)322-4040.