Man Is Shot and Killed at Busy Mall in Bakersfield

A man was killed Tuesday evening in what police called a gang-related shooting at a packed Bakersfield mall that sent dozens of shoppers scrambling for cover.

The victim, believed to be in his late teens, was apparently arguing with another young man inside South Bakersfield’s Valley Plaza Mall about 6:20 p.m. when his rival pulled a gun and shot him once, said Bakersfield Police Lt. Joe Bianco.

The name of the victim was not released.

Bianco said the mall was packed, and that numerous people were milling near the victim and suspect at the entrance to Champs Sports when the confrontation took place.

Alarmed shoppers ran from the mall after hearing the gunshot, he said. “People were fleeing, trying to get away,” Bianco said.

Both the victim and his killer were accompanied by large groups of companions. Police detained several people for questioning who turned out to be carrying guns, Bianco said.

But none of the seized guns matched the one used in the homicide, he said, and investigators are still searching for the killer. Numerous witnesses in the mall have supplied leads, he said.

Bianco added that mall security video cameras captured the entire incident.