BAKERSFIELD, CA, — The Bakersfield Police Department apprehended an individual on Wednesday night following a tense standoff with the suspect, who had been firing a firearm in the front yard of his residence.
At approximately 8:20 p.m., Bakersfield PD received an alert from the ShotSpotter system, indicating gunfire in the 300 block of South Haley Drive. Sergeant Andrew Tipton, in a press release from the BPD, revealed that several spent shell casings were discovered in the front yard of a house at that location.
Further investigation uncovered surveillance footage depicting Joshua Juarez, a 33-year-old tenant, recklessly discharging a firearm in his front yard, as confirmed by Sgt. Tipton.
In response to this incident, Juarez retreated into his home, as captured in a video from Key News Network, prompting the officers on-site to call for additional support.
At approximately 10 p.m., following repeated attempts to communicate with Juarez by the officers, the suspect voluntarily surrendered and was subsequently taken into custody.
Upon conducting a thorough investigation, it was determined that no individuals had been harmed by the negligent discharge of the firearm, according to the Bakersfield PD.
As a result of this incident, Joshua Juarez has been arrested and booked into the Kern County Jail for willfully discharging a firearm in a negligent manner.
Anyone possessing information relevant to this case is urged to reach out to the Bakersfield Police Department at (661) 327-7111.