BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KERO) \u2014 Blade Avenue in northeast Bakersfield is typically a quiet, close-knit street where neighbors say serious crime is rare. <\/p>\n
But on Christmas Day, that sense of peace was shattered after gunfire left two people dead.<\/p>\n
According to the Bakersfield Police Department, officers responded just after 10 p.m. on December 25 to reports of a shooting in the 2700 block of Blade Avenue. <\/p>\n
When officers arrived, they found a man and a woman suffering from gunshot wounds. <\/p>\n
Both were dead at the home. Police later confirmed the incident appears to be a murder-suicide. The investigation remains active.<\/p>\n
Neighbors say the violence came without warning. <\/p>\n
Cassandra Musselman, who lives nearby, said the sounds initially blended in with the holiday celebrations.<\/p>\n
\u201cEarlier in the night there were fireworks, loud booms of course,\u201d Musselman said. \u201cBut about 20 minutes later, we heard more, and there was a distinct difference in the sound.\u201d<\/p>\n
Musselman said the gunfire was especially shocking because of how quiet the neighborhood usually is.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis neighborhood is pretty quiet, so to hear something like that happen was definitely concerning,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Other residents echoed that sentiment. Maximillian Shafer, who grew up and lives on Blade Avenue, described the area as safe and closely connected.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis community is usually really safe. Nothing bad ever happens here,\u201d Shafer said. \u201cA lot of us are really connected.\u201d<\/p>\n
Lesly Lynott has lived in the neighborhood for 15 years. <\/p>\n
She chose not to show her face but said she became alarmed early the next morning during her routine coffee run.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe only thing I could really observe was them taking one body out to a van,\u201d Lynott said.<\/p>\n
She said what troubles her most now is the lack of answers.<\/p>\n
\u201cI would like to find out what happened so I don\u2019t have to be afraid,\u201d Lynott said. \u201cWas it a random person? Was it targeted?\u201d<\/p>\n
The tragedy has also shaken visitors to the area. <\/p>\n
Vallerie Fuentes said the news was especially difficult for her family.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have an eight-year-old at the house, and she was scared, wondering, \u2018What if it happened here?\u2019\u201d Fuentes said. \u201cThis community has always felt safe and quiet, so for something so tragic to happen is really disturbing.\u201d<\/p>\n
Police say they are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident. <\/p>\n
For now, neighbors along Blade Avenue are left grappling with a tragedy that unfolded on what many describe as a day meant for celebration and peace.<\/p>\n
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