BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) — A man convicted of attempted murder and other charges for shooting a victim while they slept in April 2025 was sentenced on Wednesday to 14 years to life in prison, plus an additional four years, according to the Kern County District Attorney.

RELATED: Kern County man faces up to 32 years to life after attempted murder conviction

A Kern County jury found Devaun Means guilty in April of attempted murder, assault on a person with a firearm, battery with serious bodily injury, second-degree burglary, felon in possession of a firearm, and felon in possession of ammunition. The DA’s Office said the jury also found true that Means committed attempted murder by intentionally discharging a firearm, causing great bodily injury.

The Kern County District Attorney’s Office said on April 30, 2026, a jury found Devaun Means guilty of attempted murder, assault on a person with a firearm, battery with serious bodily injury, second-degree burglary, felon in possession of a firearm, and felon in possession of ammunition. PHOTO: Kern County DA

The Kern County District Attorney’s Office said on April 30, 2026, a jury found Devaun Means guilty of attempted murder, assault on a person with a firearm, battery with serious bodily injury, second-degree burglary, felon in possession of a firearm, and felon in possession of ammunition. PHOTO: Kern County DA

The DA’s Office said that in the early afternoon of April 21, 2025, Means and the victim were at a family gathering when they became involved in a physical altercation. After the incident, Means told several family members he would “get his get back” on the victim.

The DA’s Office said that at about 12:30 a.m. on April 22, 2025, the victim was sleeping in a shed behind the main residence of a home in Wasco when Means entered the shed and shot the victim four times, striking him in the abdomen, thigh and arm.

During the investigation, law enforcement recovered the firearm used in the shooting from Means’ home, the DA’s Office said. Additional crime scene analysis further linked Means to the offense.

District Attorney Cynthia Zimmer said at the time of Means’ conviction, “Conflicts that escalate to the use of a firearm in an attempt to take a life out of ‘revenge’ are completely unacceptable. Such behavior will not be tolerated, as it clearly demonstrates Means’ lack of awareness and the threat he poses to public safety.”

Means was initially facing a sentence of 32 years to life in prison.