Bakersfield, CA - One Man Killed, Another Hospitalized in Knotts Street Shooting

Bakersfield, CA (April 13, 2026) - One man was killed and another was hospitalized following a shooting in east Bakersfield on the morning of April 13, 2026.

According to the Kern County Sheriff's Office, at approximately 10:15 a.m., deputies were dispatched to the 600 block of Knotts Street after reports of a shooting. Upon arrival, deputies located two male victims at the scene. Both men were transported to a local hospital, where one was later pronounced dead. The second victim remains hospitalized. The Kern County Sheriff's Office Homicide Unit assumed the investigation. No arrests have been made at this time.

The identities of the victims have not been released. The circumstances leading to the shooting have not been disclosed by authorities.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Kern County Sheriff's Office at (661) 861-3110 or the Secret Witness line at (661) 322-4040.

Legal Considerations Following a Fatal Shooting

When a person is killed or seriously injured in a shooting, surviving family members and victims may have legal options worth understanding. Depending on the circumstances and the findings of the investigation, civil claims may arise separate from any criminal proceedings.

Factors that may be relevant to a civil case include:

• The circumstances leading up to the shooting and the relationship between the parties involved
• Whether any third party — such as a property owner or another individual — may bear responsibility for the incident
• The nature and extent of injuries sustained
• The availability of evidence, including witness accounts, surveillance footage, and law enforcement reports

Contact Our Bakersfield Civil Rights Attorney

The Law Offices of Christian Contreras represents shooting victims and their families throughout California, including Kern County. Our team handles civil rights cases on a contingency fee basis — no upfront costs, no hourly fees.

Call (866) 837-1315 now for a free consultation with a Los Angeles civil rights attorney serving in Bakersfield.

Disclaimer

This page is attorney advertising and is provided for general informational purposes only. It is not legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Accident information is based on publicly available reports and may change as investigations continue. The Law Offices of Christian Contreras is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to any law enforcement or emergency response agency. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes, and no outcome is promised or implied.