BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) — A man accused of killing a woman and injuring a man during a 2024 attempt to retrieve an allegedly stolen motorcycle was found guilty on July 17, the Kern County District Attorney’s Office announced.
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Luis Villachana was convicted on Friday of first-degree murder with use of a firearm, residential burglary while armed with a firearm, attempted murder, three counts of assault with a semi-automatic firearm, shooting into an occupied vehicle, felon in possession of a firearm, and felon in possession of ammunition.
There is heavy law enforcement in Oildale Thursday afternoon. PHOTO: KBAK/KBFX
The case dates back to August 29, 2024, when Kern County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a home in the 2700 block of Olympic Drive in Oildale for a report of a woman who an unknown suspect had shot.
Homicide detectives determined Villachana had a motorcycle that was allegedly stolen from his home in the early morning hours of August 29. Prosecutors said Villachana did not contact law enforcement to report the theft and instead recruited several people to track down the motorcycle, which led him and two others to a house in Oildale. Prosecutors said he found the alleged stolen motorcycle inside the garage.
Prosecutors said Villachana went inside the home and assaulted a roommate while trying to get more information about who stole the motorcycle. Another roommate was contacted and spoke with his parents.
There is heavy law enforcement in Oildale Thursday afternoon. PHOTO: KBAK/KBFX
The roommate’s father arrived first and tried to keep the situation from escalating until Villachana pulled out a gun and began threatening him, prosecutors said. Villachana shot at the father’s feet, leading to the father assaulting Villachana, according to prosecutors.
In an attempt to protect his wife, who had just arrived, the father was shot by Villachana as he tried to run away, prosecutors said. Villachana also fired at the vehicle as it arrived, killing Ruth Ann Cummings. The father sustained minor injuries.
Luis Villachana is accused of killing a woman and injuring one person in a shooting in Oildale. PHOTO: KCSO
Villachana was arrested by deputies in Shafter in September 2024.
“Laws are established to maintain order and promote justice, ensuring that disputes are resolved through the legal system rather than through personal acts of violence. Villachana’s actions were avoidable and entirely unjustified,” Kern County District Attorney Cynthia Zimmer said.
There is heavy law enforcement in Oildale Thursday afternoon. PHOTO: KBAK/KBFX
Villachana is set to be sentenced August 14. The case is pending a bench trial on aggravating factors in Superior Court on July 28. If the aggravating factors are found true, prosecutors said Villachana faces up to 50 years to life, plus 24 years, four months in prison.