HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010_04_05_OIS Review 2200 South P Street
BAKERSFIELD POLICE DEPARTMENT PRESS RELEASE Greg Williamson, Chief of Police ________________________________________________________________________ Contact: Sergeant Mary DeGeare Public
Information Officer 661-326-3803 mdegeare@Bakersfieldpd.us For Immediate Release April 5, 2010 On 4/5/10, the Bakersfield Police Department Critical Incident Review Board met and reviewed
the facts and circumstances of the officer involved shooting that occurred on March 25, 2010 in the 2200 block of South P Street. The Review Board concluded that the shots fired by Senior
Officer Clint Blackburn during the incident were within department policy and within state and federal guidelines. The Review Board consisted of Assistant Chief Lyle Martin, Captain
Kevin Stokes, Captain Robert Bivens, and Captain Hajir Nuriddin. Police Chief Greg Williamson has reviewed the investigation and concurred with the Review Board’s findings. Senior Officer
Blackburn has been cleared to return to duty. Original Release March 25, 2010 On 3/25/10, at about 9:25 a.m., a 20 year old man reported that earlier that morning, just after midnight
he was standing in front of his room at the Econo Lodge Motel, 5200 Olive Tree Court when he was approached by a man and a woman armed with a handgun. He reported he the pair robbed
him and forced him into his own 2001 Cadillac Seville, keeping him captive over night. He said they eventually stopped at a hotel on Union Avenue where he was left unattended in his
car and he chose to run. He reported the offense to the Kern County Sheriff’s Office which in turn broadcasted the nature of the offense and description of the Cadillac and the armed
suspects to law enforcement agencies, county wide. On March 25, 2010, at about 2:00 p.m., Officer Clint Blackburn spotted the Cadillac Seville in the area of South Union and Ming Avenues
occupied by a female driver and male passenger. He caught up to the car and attempted to stop it however, the suspects led him on a short pursuit into the 2200 block of South P Street,
where it it dead ends into the canal. The driver of the car stopped short of the canal and the 20 year old male passenger exited and ran with his hands concealed near his waist. Believing
this violent suspect might escape into the nearby neighborhood and that he was possibly armed, Officer Blackburn, who was the only officer on scene at this point, fired multiple times
at the male suspect, and then lost sight of him as the suspect concealed himself in front of the car.
The female driver also exited the driver’s side and ran from the car with her hands concealed. Officer Blackburn fired multiple rounds at her at which time she went to the ground and
placed her hands in a position where he could see she was not holding a weapon. Officer Blackburn held the two at gunpoint until assisting officers arrived. The male suspect was taken
to a local hospital for a gunshot wound to the right leg. The female was not injured and is in custody. The investigation is still underway. The sheriff’s office will identify the carjacking/kidnap
victims and suspects when it is appropriate to their investigation as it is still ongoing. Officer Blackburn, who is a 15 year veteran, will be placed on routine administrative leave.
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