According to the DA\u2019s Office, on August 12, 2021, Cesar Joseph Malta drove his vehicle to the intersection of Lake Street and Kern Street to meet with Sonny Veleta. The DA\u2019s Office said before meeting, Malta and Veleta had communicated over Snapchat and arranged for Malta to sell $200 worth of marijuana to Veleta.<\/p>\n
When Malta and his 18-year-old passenger arrived on Lake Street, Veleta walked up to the vehicle. The DA\u2019s Office said with a gun concealed in his waistband and a hood covering his face, Veleta went directly to the open driver’s door window and contacted Malta.<\/p>\n
According to the DA\u2019s office, without saying a word, Veleta pulled the gun out of his waistband and pointed it at Malta before the transaction began. The passenger witnessed Veleta fire a gunshot while Malta\u2019s car simultaneously moved forward. The bullet struck Malta on the left side of his back.<\/p>\n
A plastic bag containing marijuana was later found on the vehicle\u2019s floor between the driver\u2019s seat and door. Malta\u2019s friend reached across the vehicle and was able to drive them to safety, stopping the car at the corner of Baker and Oregon Street, where he called 9-1-1.<\/p>\n
The DA\u2019s office said Bakersfield Police Department officers and medical personnel responded to the scene and took Malta to Kern Medical. Despite the attempt of life saving measures, Malta died from his injury shortly after arriving to the hospital.<\/p>\n
The DA\u2019s office said at the time of the crime, Veleta was 16 years old<\/a>, necessitating that he initially be charged as a juvenile. In February of 2024, Veleta\u2019s case was transferred from juvenile to adult court after Veleta was found to be \u201clegally fit\u201d to be tried as an adult for this callous crime of violence.<\/p>\n
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