BAKERSFIELD, CALIF. — On the morning of March 19th, around 6:30 a.m., the Bakersfield Police responded to a shooting report on Ginger Drive, near the intersection of White Lane and Ashe Road.
They discovered Victoria Anne Marie Hampton, a 61-year-old woman, critically injured by a gunshot on the street. She was rushed to the hospital but tragically succumbed to her injuries on April 1st.
On Tuesday, the Bakersfield Police Department released new details regarding the incident. According to Sgt. Robert Pair, the preliminary investigation suggests that Hampton’s vehicle had been stolen, prompting her to track it using an Apple Air Tag. However, she did not contact law enforcement during the process.
It was during her attempt to recover her stolen property that Hampton was shot. Sgt. Pair revealed that she encountered a group of four individuals, aged between 19 and 23, who were allegedly involved in the crime. These suspects were later apprehended by the Bakersfield Police in different locations, namely Bellflower, Lynwood, Anaheim, and Long Beach.
Sgt. Pair emphasized that he does not hold Hampton responsible for the unfortunate outcome, stating that she did nothing wrong and did not deserve to be harmed or killed.
He also acknowledged that there has been an alarming rise in individuals carrying deadly weapons during property-related offenses, such as thefts. Sgt. Pair encouraged the public to inform the police if they track down their stolen belongings, allowing law enforcement to handle the situation.
Recognizing that some people may feel compelled to take matters into their own hands due to concerns about response times, Sgt. Pair acknowledged the frustration but urged individuals to report crimes to the Bakersfield Police Department by calling (661) 327-7111.
Please note that this information is based on the given text and may not reflect the most recent updates or developments on the case.