Pembroke Avenue: Deputy Fires at 18-Year-Old Who Ran From a Traffic Stop
BAKERSFIELD, CALIFORNIA (October 9, 2026): A Kern County Sheriff’s Office deputy shot an 18-year-old man early Friday, October 9, 2026, after the man ran from a traffic stop in northwest Bakersfield, according to the Kern County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO), as reported by KGET and BakersfieldNow. The Kern County deputy shooting happened at about 1:10 a.m. in the 5400 block of Pembroke Avenue. The man was wounded, treated at the scene and taken to a hospital.
According to the sheriff’s office, a deputy tried to pull over a vehicle the man was in. The vehicle stopped on Pembroke Avenue, and the man got out and ran. KCSO said a deputy-involved shooting then occurred, but it has not said why the deputy fired or how many shots were fired. No deputies or other civilians were injured. The department’s account has not yet been independently reviewed.
After he was released from the hospital, the man was arrested and booked on suspicion of evading, resisting arrest, several firearm and ammunition offenses and possession of a controlled substance while armed, according to KCSO. He is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court. KGET reported that this was the sixth shooting involving the sheriff’s office so far this year.
KCSO homicide detectives took over the investigation, as they do with any use of deadly force by the department, and the case will be submitted to the Kern County District Attorney’s Office for review. KCSO said more information and body-worn camera footage will be released later. It has not said whether the man had anything in his hands when the deputy fired, why the vehicle was stopped or how serious his injuries were. Tips: KCSO, 661-861-3110, or Kern Secret Witness, 661-322-4040.
Liability for Bakersfield Deputy Shootings
California law sets strict limits on deadly force. Under California Penal Code § 835a, a peace officer may generally use deadly force only when the officer reasonably believes, based on the totality of the circumstances, that it is necessary to defend against an imminent threat of death or serious bodily injury, or to stop a fleeing person in narrow felony situations involving death or serious injury. People hurt by excessive force may generally bring claims under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 and the Bane Act, Civil Code § 52.1. In Hayes v. County of San Diego (2013), the California Supreme Court held that an officer’s tactical conduct before a shooting can be considered when deciding whether the force was reasonable.
- Flight and the totality of the circumstances: Section 835a asks what the officer reasonably believed at the moment of firing. Whether the man posed an imminent threat when he ran from the stop on Pembroke Avenue is a central question for the investigation.
- Conduct before the shots: Under Hayes, how the traffic stop and the foot pursuit unfolded, including commands, distance and other options, may be part of the legal analysis.
- Body-worn camera video: KCSO said video will be released later. Under Government Code § 7923.625, recordings of a critical incident in which an officer fires at a person generally must be released within 45 days, with limited exceptions.
- County responsibility: Claims involving an on-duty deputy are generally brought against the County of Kern, which can be responsible for its employees’ conduct, training and policies.
An arrest does not by itself decide whether the force used was lawful. Criminal cases and civil claims are separate processes.
Steps to Take After a Bakersfield Deputy Shooting
Under Assembly Bill 1506, the California Department of Justice investigates police shootings that kill an unarmed civilian; when the person survives, the local district attorney generally reviews the shooting, as KCSO said will happen here. Injured people and families can take these steps:
- Request records: Ask in writing for incident reports and for the body-worn camera video once the agency releases it.
- Keep medical records: Save hospital discharge papers, imaging and follow-up records that describe the gunshot injuries.
- Look for video: Homes along Pembroke Avenue and nearby streets may have security or doorbell cameras that recorded the area at about 1:10 a.m. on October 9.
- Get advice before statements: People facing pending charges generally should speak with a lawyer before discussing the incident with investigators or insurers.
Deadlines are short. A claim against a public entity such as a county generally must be presented within six months under Government Code § 911.2, and personal injury lawsuits are generally subject to the two-year limit in Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1. Federal civil rights claims follow their own rules. Contact an attorney promptly to protect your rights.
Investigating the Pembroke Avenue Deputy Shooting
We at Carrazco Law, A.P.C., a personal injury and civil rights law firm in Irvine, California, hope for the recovery of the man who was wounded. We previously reported on the death of Kristina Michelle Riley at the Lerdo Pre-Trial Facility, run by the same sheriff’s office. Two questions stand out: what did the deputy see that led to shots being fired at a man who, according to KCSO, was running away on foot, and will the body-worn camera video show whether he was holding anything at that moment?
If you or a loved one has been affected by a police or deputy shooting anywhere in California, our civil rights attorneys can help you understand your rights and legal options. Call us anytime at (800) 541-3244. Se Habla Español. Free consultation.
Published on October 13, 2026 by M.M., Carrazco Law, A.P.C. The incident described in this article occurred on October 9, 2026.
