BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — The Kern County Sheriff's Office has provided new details regarding an officer-involved shooting in Oildale that left a man and a deputy injured.
The incident happened on Wednesday, Dec. 12, just after 7:30 p.m. in the 300 block of McCord Avenue.
According to the sheriff's office, two deputies assigned to the Electronic Monitoring Program went to a residence to conduct a compliance check on a program participant. When they arrived, they contacted a man seated on the stairs leading to the home they were checking.
Deputies began a conversation with the man, who provided a false name to them, officials said. He was not the person deputies were there to contact and told them that he did not live at the residence, a news release read.
After a few minutes, the man, later identified as John Paul Jones, 35, of Bakersfield, stood up, went to the front door of the residence and tried to force his way inside, the sheriff's office said.
Deputy Charles Leask, a nine-year veteran of the sheriff’s office, immediately reacted to Jones attempting to flee and force his way into the residence by grabbing him in an attempt to detain and stop him.
As Jones continued to struggle with Deputy Leask at the top of the steps, they fell backward down the steps and onto the ground. The fall caused a loaded .44 revolver Jones had in his possession to fall to the ground within close proximity of him and the two deputies, authorities said.
Once on the ground, Jones continued to resist Deputy Leask’s commands, continued to struggle with the deputy, and was reaching toward the loaded handgun on the ground, according to the sheriff's office.
Deputy Charles Moore, a 16-year veteran of the sheriff’s office, was on scene assisting Deputy Leask. Fearing for his safety and the safety of Deputy Leask who was attempting to control Jones, Deputy Moore fired one round from his duty weapon striking Jones in the shoulder in close proximity to prevent him from grabbing the loaded handgun and shooting deputies, the sheriff's office stated.
After being struck, Jones stopped reaching for the handgun and was able to be placed in handcuffs, deputies said.
Medical aid was provided by deputies on scene and then by responding medical personnel. Jones was transported to the hospital for his injuries and released a short time later.
Deputies also searched a backpack belonging to Jones and found large quantities of suspected methamphetamine, heroin and cocaine, the news release read.
During the chaotic struggle with Jones, the round fired by Deputy Moore traveled through Jones and ultimately struck Deputy Leask, who was actively trying to restrain Jones from grabbing the firearm, officials stated. Deputy Leask was struck by the round in the wrist causing a moderate injury. He was treated at a local hospital and released.
Jones was later booked into the Kern County Jail and is currently facing charges of resisting a peace officer causing serious injury, possession of a firearm by a felon, possession of ammunition by a felon, being under the influence of a controlled substance while armed with a firearm, possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of sales and participation in a criminal street gang.
Deputy Moore has been placed on routine administrative leave while the incident is being investigated.
