A Taft man arrested on attempted murder charges when two men were shot and wounded outside a Bakersfield night club more than two years ago has taken a plea deal, according to reports.
Billy Burell Jr. 29, pleaded no contest to a charge of assault with a firearm and other counts, including the attempted murder charge, were dismissed.
KGET-TV, citing police reports filed in connection with the case, said Bakersfield Police were patrolling near the El Portal West West Mexican Grill and Cantina about 2 a.m. on Nov. 26, 2003 when they heard gunshots and saw a large group of people running and yelling.
KGET said the officers saw a man, later identified as Burell, holding a handgun and “walking briskly with a look of anger on his face in a scowl,” the reports say.
Police took Burell into custody and multiple witnesses identified him as the shooter.
Security guards told police they broke up an earlier fight involving two males near the front entrance of the restaurant. A second fight occurred southeast of the restaurant soon after — followed by the shooting.
Burell is scheduled to be sentenced on April 14 and faces three years in state prison.