BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) — The Kern County Coroner’s Office has identified the suspect who died following a deputy-involved shooting on Highway 58 as 41-year-old Giovanni Montoya Guzman of Bakersfield.
RELATED: Suspect dies after deputy-involved shooting, following pursuit and crash on Highway 58
The Kern County Sheriff’s Office said on April 10, 2026, at around 5:30 p.m., deputies were called to the 500 block of South Pepper Drive for a report of a shooting.
When deputies arrived, the alleged suspect, later identified as Guzman, left the area. Deputies pursued Guzman for several minutes and ultimately terminated the pursuit due to unsafe driving conditions.
KCSO said deputies learned that the suspect’s vehicle was involved in a traffic crash on eastbound Highway 58, east of Weedpatch Highway at around 6 p.m. At the same time, a victim of a gunshot wound was privately taken to the hospital, and it was determined that it was in connection with the initial reported shooting, according to KCSO.
Kern County deputies responded to a reported shooting, went on a pursuit with the alleged suspect, who later crashed on Highway 58. After the crash, a deputy-involved shooting happened, resulting in the suspect’s death Friday night. PHOTO: KBAK/KBFX
Deputies arrived at the scene of the crash and tried to make contact with Guzman. During the contact, a deputy-involved shooting happened. Guzman died.
Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to call the Kern County Sheriff’s Office at (661) 861-3110 or Kern Secret Witness at (661) 322-4040.