BPD confirms man armed with a shotgun was shot, killed by officers

UPDATE (JUNE 25, 2021): The Bakersfield Police Department has released new information regarding the fatal police shooting that took place on Thursday on Highway 99.

The two suspects arrested in connection to the incident were identified as 29-year-old Jorge Retamoza-Martinez of Wasco and 32-year-old Jose Alberto Perez Jr. of Bakersfield

Retamoza-Martinez and Perez Jr. were arrested for grand theft, possession of stolen property, possession of burglary tools, conspiracy, felon in possession of a loaded firearm, felon in possession of ammunition and resisting arrest. Perez Jr. also faces felony evading.

According to the BPD, two loaded handguns, a loaded shotgun, burglary tools and four catalytic converters were located at the scene.

UPDATE (3:24 p.m.): The Bakersfield Police Department issued a statement on Thursday afternoon providing additional details into the officer-involved shooting that took place on Highway 99 Thursday morning.

According to the BPD, officers tried to stop a Chevrolet Avalanche in the area of Fremont Street and Bradly Avenue at around 4:20 a.m. Thursday morning. The driver refused to stop and led police on a chase that traveled southbound on Highway 99 at over 100 mph. When the Avalanche attempted to exit the highway at the Houghton Road exit the driver lost control of the truck and collided with a tree.

Three men jumped from the vehicle and fled on foot. One of the suspects ran into the lanes of southbound Highway 99 while holding a shotgun. At that point, an officer shot and killed the man.

A second man who was unarmed was also taken into custody on the west side of Highway 99. The third man in the vehicle was arrested several hours later after being found hiding in a cornfield on the east side of the highway.

Burglary tools and suspected stolen catalytic converters were found inside the truck.

The incident remains under investigation. The identity of the man killed in the shooting and the other two suspects have not been released at this time.

Anyone with information regarding this investigation is encouraged to call the Bakersfield Police Department at (661) 327-7111.

UPDATE (10:15 a.m.): All lanes of Highway 99 are now open following the officer-involved shooting Thursday morning.

UPDATE (8:10 a.m.): Bakersfield Police confirms that one person was killed during Thursday morning's officer-involved shooting.

Bakersfield Police Sgt. Robert Pair said officers initially attempted to pull over a vehicle for a vehicle code violation. The vehicle did not pull over, leading police on a pursuit.

Just before the Houghton Road exit, the vehicle lost control, crashing off the 99.

Three men in the vehicle ran from the scene.

BPD says a man armed with a shotgun went into Southbound 99 lanes and encountered an officer. That's when the officer opened fire. The man was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police say one of the three men is still outstanding. Another was taken into custody.

Pair said he believes this is the fourth officer-involved shooting for BPD this year.

The Bakersfield Police Department says an officer-involved shooting occurred Thursday morning in the area of Highway 99 and Houghton Road.

Police couldn't confirm any details on the shooting, but said one person is currently in custody and they are currently searching for another person.

Southbound 99 is currently shut down due to the investigation.