BAKERSFIELD, Calif.(KBAK/KBFX) — A shooting on Easter Sunday in southeast Bakersfield left two people injured, including a boy, and is now raising questions about how long it took for medical help to arrive.
Witnesses said the boy was on the ground for nearly 30 minutes before a medical team arrived. One witness, Sara, who was dressed as the Easter Bunny, described trying to help at the scene: “We just hid behind my kid’s car, and then I helped him put pressure and gave him water and put his head on my lap, and just tried to make him feel as comfortable as possible.”
PREVIOUS REPORTING: Person in Easter Bunny costume aiding one of several shot in southeast Bakersfield
Bakersfield police said the 911 call came in around 4:48 p.m. Neighbors said officers arrived first, followed by Bakersfield Fire, and then Hall Ambulance.
Bakersfield Fire said crews were dispatched at 5 p.m. and arrived at 5:16 p.m. Fire officials typically stage and wait until they are cleared by police before moving in.
A time-stamped photo shared by witnesses showed the boy on a stretcher at 5:22 p.m.
Hall Ambulance was asked about the response time in this case, but said it could not discuss the specific response time. The company said, “County of Kern Response Time Performance Standards require Hall Ambulance to respond within 8 minutes or less 90% of the time.” A Hall spokesperson declined to answer a question about whether ambulance staffing was affected by the Easter holiday.
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Police said the boy who was shot has been released from the hospital and is expected to face charges. The other man who was shot underwent a procedure and is expected to be cleared and booked into jail today. Police said another man and a woman were also charged in the shooting.