Jack Owen Early Jr., 57, was shot and killed on December 13, 2022, in the 7200 block of Cranbrook Avenue in Bakersfield, California. Deputies from the Kern County Sheriff’s Office responded to reports of a shooting about 5:02 p.m.; Early was found with multiple gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead at the scene. The coroner later confirmed his identity and an autopsy was scheduled to determine manner and cause of death.

Investigators say the shooting followed a verbal dispute between Early and a neighbor, 40-year-old Kevan Brown, who lived on the other side of a fence. Witnesses reported the argument escalated after Early broke a fence board and then returned outside to retrieve a beer; Brown confronted him and shot him multiple times. Brown was arrested without incident and charged with murder.

If anyone witnessed the December 13 confrontation or has information about what led to the shooting, please share what is known.