BPD arrests suspect in November fatal shooting
The Bakersfield Police Department announced Tuesday the arrest of a suspect who’s been sought for more than six months in connection with a fatal shooting investigation.
BPD officers arrested Christian Francois Gaines without incident in the 10700 block of Grand Prairie Drive.
He has been booked on suspicion of murder, conspiracy and gang participation, according to a BPD news release.
Previously, officers put out a $2,500 reward through the Kern Secret Witness program for information that led to his arrest. Officials did not announce whether the reward was collected.
Gaines is a suspect in a Nov. 3 murder of 21-year-old Justin Griffin Jr., who was killed in the 3300 block of Wible Road.
Two other suspects in the murder, Demitris King and David Gray, have already been arrested, according to a previous BPD news release. Police said they have evidence that links all three suspects to the scene, and they believe Gaines was the shooter.
California Highway Patrol officers reported a Kernville woman was killed in a head-on collision Monday on Highway 178.
A 2021 Tesla heading east on Highway 178, east of Rancheria Road and just east of the canyon mouth, crossed over solid double yellow lines and crashed head on into a 2010 Ford heading west, according to a CHP report of the crash.
The driver of the Tesla was uninjured, the driver of the Ford sustained minor injuries and the passenger in the Ford sustained fatal injuries. She was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash.
All occupants appeared to have been wearing their seat belts at the time of the collision, according to the report, which also noted that drugs and alcohol do not appear to have been factors in this collision.
The Kern County coroner’s office identified a man who died Monday as the result of stab wounds, according to a news release.
Richard Daniel Alvarez Jr., 71, of Bakersfield, died at 5:23 a.m. in the 400 block of South Real Road in Bakersfield. He was stabbed at 5:02 a.m. and pronounced dead at the scene.
The Kern County Sheriff’s Office is investigating.
The Bakersfield Police Department is asking for the public’s help to find a teen who was reported missing.
Sherri-Ann Wolfe was last seen at approximately 2 p.m. Monday in the 3200 block of Sierra Meadows Drive.
Wolfe is considered at risk due to a medical condition and because she has no prior history of running away.
Wolfe is described as a white girl, 17 years old, 5 feet, 1 inches tall, 155 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. She was last seen wearing a gray sweatshirt, blue denim shorts and black shoes.
Anyone with information regarding Wolfe’s whereabouts is encouraged to contact the Bakersfield Police Department at 661-327-7111.
The Bakersfield Police Department is asking for the public’s help to find a person reported missing who is at risk due to a medical condition.
Shamsher Loyal was last seen at approximately 10:30 a.m. Tuesday walking east in the 3200 Block of McKee Road.
Loyal is described as an Indian man, 61 years old, 6 feet, 2 inches tall, 230 pounds, with gray hair and black eyes. He was last seen wearing a gray jacket and gray pajama pants.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact the Bakersfield
Police Department at 661-327-7111.
The California Highway Patrol announced Monday three Kern County natives were a part of the law enforcement agency’s most recent class of academy grads.
The CHP announced 128 officers graduated from its academy in West Sacramento, after completing 27 weeks of training.
Cadets who crossed the stage to receive their badge will be assigned at one of the CHP’s 103 area offices throughout the state, as family and friends packed the gymnasium in support of the new officers.
Jesus Pantoja, of Arvin, a member of Arvin High’s class of 2011 who earned his bachelor’s degree in criminology from Fresno State University, previously worked for the Kern County Sheriff’s Office.
He was assigned to the CHP’s Hollister-Gilroy area office.
Matthew Steven Jones, of Bakersfield, completed cadet training and was assigned to duty at the CHP’s Santa Cruz area office.
Jones graduated from
Frontier High School in 2013. After high school, he continued his education by attending classes at Anoka-Ramsey Community
College in Minnesota. Prior to attending the academy, Jones worked as a server for Eat.Drink.
Sleep. in Bakersfield.
Kyler Neil Burleson, of Bakersfield, completed training and was assigned to duty at the CHP’s San Diego area office.
Burleson graduated from Centennial High School in Bakersfield in 2015. After high school, he attended Mesa Community College in San Diego. Prior to attending the CHP academy, Burleson worked as a server for Brigantine in San Diego.