BAKERSFIELD SWAT SUSPECT DIES

The man at the center of an east Bakersfield SWAT standoff has died of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Sheriff’s deputies were called to a house on Hillburn Road near Sterling Road around 9:20 Sunday night after a woman and her cousin said they were shot at while checking up on her estranged husband. Sheriff’s spokesman Ray Pruitt says they believe the man did not respond to negotiators throughout the seven hour standoff because he shot himself when deputies arrived on scene.

Deputies believe the 26-year-old cousin was struck in the back when she tried to stop the suspect from shooting at his wife. She was taken to Kern Medical and is expected to survive her injuries. The suspect is believed to have chased his wife and shot at her but only damaging her jacket and cell phone.

Kelli Forsch