BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) — Body camera video and dash cam video were released that led to a deputy-involved shooting in Onyx back in March 2026.
The Kern County Sheriff’s Office said on March 13, 2026, at around 6 p.m., deputies were called to a report of domestic violence in the 16000 block of Highway 178 in Weldon.
After the suspect left the area, Kern Valley deputies believed the suspect was headed east and requested Ridgecrest deputies to wait by Highway 178 and Highway 14. KCSO said deputies found the suspect parked in a dirt lot and tried to detain him. The suspect left the area going westbound on Highway 178.
A pursuit started. KCSO said CHP responded and took the lead of the pursuit. Dash cam from a CHP patrol vehicle showed the officer in pursuit of the suspect in a U-Haul truck towing a trailer. The U-Haul is seen traveling in both lanes of traffic.
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During the pursuit, the suspect, 30-year-old Micheal Kemmeter, was driving on the wrong side of Highway 178 and crashed into oncoming traffic.
The crash happened near Doyle Ranch Road in Onyx. KCSO released dash cam showing the crash.
Body camera video and dash cam video were released that led to a deputy-involved shooting in Onyx back in March 2026. PHOTO: KCSO
KCSO said following the crash, Kemmeter barricaded himself inside his disabled vehicle.
Deputies gave multiple warnings and commands to Kemmeter to get out of the vehicle.
Body camera video and dash cam video were released that led to a deputy-involved shooting in Onyx back in March 2026. PHOTO: KCSO
According to KCSO, after Kemmeter pointed a gun at deputies, a deputy-involved shooting happened. Neither Kemmeter or the deputies and officers sustained any injuries from the shooting.
Following the deputy-involved shooting, deputies continued efforts to safely resolve the situation using verbal commands and phone negotiations.
Audio of the calls between deputies and Kemmeter was released.
Body camera video and dash cam video were released that led to a deputy-involved shooting in Onyx back in March 2026. PHOTO: KCSO
KCSO said Kemmeter ultimately got out of the vehicle and surrendered. Body cam video was released of Kemmeter surrendering.
He was arrested for corporal injury of spouse, obstruct/resist an officer with force, hit and run resulting in property damage, and evading by driving the wrong way.
KCSO showed the guns Kemmeter had on himself and in the vehicle.
Body camera video and dash cam video were released that led to a deputy-involved shooting in Onyx back in March 2026. PHOTO: KCSO
Body camera video and dash cam video were released that led to a deputy-involved shooting in Onyx back in March 2026. PHOTO: KCSO
Deputies Justin Guzman, Austin McCullough, Dylan Chumley and Sergeant Ryan Pollack were placed on routine critical incident leave pending the completion of the investigation.
Kern County Sheriff’s Office said detectives investigate any use of deadly force by any member of the department. Investigations are submitted to the Kern County District Attorney’s Office for criminal review.
On April 13, 2026, the Kern County Sheriff’s Office convened an Incident Review Board examining the use of force in this incident. The use of force was determined to be within policy.
Anyone with additional information regarding this case is asked to call the Kern County Sheriff’s Office at (661)861-3110 or Kern Secret Witness at (661)322-4040.
Kemmeter was arrested in October 2025, after he intentionally shot at a woman with the intent to kill, with two children inside a home. No one was injured in the incident.