BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — UPDATE: Bakersfield Police responded to a report of a man in the area of Valley Plaza Mall in possession of a firearm at about 5:57 p.m. on August 9th.
Upon arrival, there were no reports of shots fired, or witnesses claiming to have seen anyone with a firearm. BPD says it was determined that the reporting party had received information secondhand via social media.
BPD says a second call was reported around 7:19 p.m. for a man inside the Valley Plaza win a firearm near an interior business. Officials determined the reports to be unsubstantiated.
Anyone with information regarding this investigation, or the identity of the suspect is asked to call Bakersfield Police at 327-7111.
The Bakersfield Police Department says the office received calls for reports of a man carrying a stuffed animal and rifle around 6 p.m. in the Valley Plaza Mall area.
BPD says there are several units investigating, however as of now all reports are unsubstantiated and no one has seen the man. BPD says they also received a call for the same man in the Target area near Valley Plaza, however those reports are also unsubstantiated.
BPD says as of now these reports are social media driven and will continue to investigate.