On April 19, 2023, at about 4:53 p.m., Delano police responded to reports of gunfire at North Kern Cemetery at Garces Highway and Albany Street. Officers found 43-year-old Ruben Tapia with multiple gunshot wounds; he was taken to a hospital and later pronounced dead.

Investigators say a confrontation broke out among a group at the cemetery and that 25-year-old Eduardo Hernandez allegedly produced a firearm. A struggle over the weapon reportedly occurred and Tapia was shot multiple times. Hernandez fled before officers arrived; he was stopped the next day by U.S. Customs and Border Protection at the San Ysidro crossing while attempting to enter Mexico and was handed over to Delano police and booked on suspicion of murder.

On April 25 the Kern County District Attorney’s office announced it would not file charges at that time, citing unresolved issues about potential self-defense, and returned the case to Delano police for further investigation. The investigation remains active. If anyone has information, contact Detective Ozuna at the Delano Police Department, (661) 721-3377, extension 1501.

Did anyone witness the confrontation at the cemetery or have dashcam or phone video from that afternoon?