Chase Leland Gatson, 25, was found dead on February 22, 2024, inside a vacant building in the 9600 block of South H Street in Bakersfield, California. The Kern County Coroner’s Office reported he sustained an apparent gunshot wound; an autopsy was pending to determine the exact cause and manner of death.

Gatson had prior contacts with law enforcement dating back to about 2019 and including an October 2022 arrest by the Kern County Sheriff for possession of controlled substance paraphernalia, receiving stolen property (motor vehicle), taking a vehicle without the owner’s consent, and burglary.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Bakersfield Police Department at (661) 327-7111.