California DOJ rules no criminal charges warranted in fatal Bakersfield officer-involved shooting on White Lane

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — The California Department of Justice said officers with the Bakersfield Police Department will not face criminal charges in the shooting of a man who was believed to be armed with a knife in 2023.

The department issued its report Tuesday on the March 18, 2023 police shooting that left Guillermo Huerta, 35, dead . Bakersfield officers responding to the scene in the 1500 block of White Lane received reports of an acting abnormally in the area.

Huerta then fled the scene to the 900 block of White Lane, according to the police. Ultimately Officer Bradley Mouser fired his weapon at Huerta.

The Department of Justice concluded “criminal charges were not appropriate in this case.”

During the incident, Huerta, was believed to be in possession of a knife but investigation showed he was wielding a screwdriver.

According to officials, Huerta was taken to Kern Medical where he was pronounced dead.

The California Department of Justice, under AB 1506, investigates all officer-involved shooting in the state where an unarmed suspect is killed.

“The evidence does not show, beyond a reasonable doubt, that the officer acted without the intent to defend himself and other from what he reasonably believed to be imminent death or serious bodily injury,” state officials said in a release.

You can read the full report from the California Department of Justice on the incident at this link .

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