James John Kulstad II, 38, was fatally shot on April 8, 2018, in Bakersfield, California. He was struck in a drive-by shooting while in the driveway of a South Bakersfield home. The killing stood out in that neighborhood, where such violent incidents were uncommon.

Kulstad was a Bakersfield native known for entrepreneurship and surfing; he had moved to La Jolla and developed products including skateboard trucks and infant bibs. He struggled with substance abuse after being prescribed pain medication following an earlier accident. Witnesses said he was not welcome at the home he was leaving when he was shot, and investigators have linked his death to a circle of associates. His murder is discussed alongside two other linked cases collectively called the Bakersfield 3 involving Micah Holsonbake and Baylee Despot; no arrests have been announced in Kulstad’s killing.

Anyone with information about Kulstad, his movements that night, or the Bakersfield 3 is asked to come forward.