On the evening of July 14, 2023, at about 8:24 p.m., 28-year-old Jose Juarez of Delano was fatally shot at the On the Way Gas Station, 2241 Girard Street in Delano. Joshua Pena, 28, of Bakersfield, was also killed. A Delano officer on a nearby traffic stop heard gunfire and saw a vehicle speed away; the officer pursued until the vehicle crashed and became disabled in unincorporated Kern County. Three people were taken into custody after the crash.

Surveillance footage shows an argument among several gang members that initially appeared to be a fistfight. The encounter escalated when a man exited the driver’s side of a Dodge Ram, retrieved a firearm from his waistband, and opened fire on Juarez and Pena. Both victims sustained multiple gunshot wounds and were pronounced dead at the scene.

Delano police arrested 19-year-old Bryan Heredia and 20-year-old Saul Ochoa, both of Delano, on charges including first-degree murder and gang conspiracy. A third suspect, 24-year-old Rito Castillo, was arrested on July 20 at a Chick-fil-A on Rosedale Highway in Bakersfield. Authorities say no additional suspects are outstanding. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Santaella at (661) 721-3369.

Does anyone have information about the argument at the gas station or saw the Dodge Ram that fled?