BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — The tragic shooting of 15-year-old Prince Michael Banner on November 10 at the Marketplace has sparked concerns about police response times in Bakersfield. The Bakersfield Police Department took 90 minutes to arrive after the initial 911 call reporting a fight among juveniles, raising questions about staffing shortages and systemic challenges within the department.
Authorities identified 15-year-old Albert Briseno Jr. as the alleged shooter, but the Kern County District Attorney’s Office declined to press charges due to insufficient evidence. Police confirmed they did not arrive until after shots were fired.
The first call to police came at 7:07 p.m., but due to a lack of manpower, officers were unavailable. It was not until 8:37 p.m., after Marketplace security reported gunfire, that a sergeant arrived on the scene within three minutes.
Bakersfield Police Chief Gregg Terry has acknowledged ongoing staffing challenges, citing 45 officer vacancies and nine dispatcher shortages this year, though the situation has slightly improved compared to last year.
Professor Tommy Tunson, a criminal justice expert at Bakersfield College, warned that prolonged response times could lead to further tragedies. “This is only going to increase the strain on service calls,” he said, pointing to factors such as stricter educational requirements, officer misconduct, and the lingering impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on recruitment.
Tunson suggested employing private security firms with trained officers to address immediate gaps in response times.
Neither the Bakersfield Police Department nor the Marketplace property owners have provided additional details about the incident or security measures that evening. The case underscores the critical need for solutions to enhance public safety and reduce response delays in emergencies.