HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012_06_04_Attempted murder of a Police Officer arrest
BAKERSFIELD POLICE
DEPARTMENT
PRESS RELEASE
Greg Williamson, Chief of Police
Contact: Sergeant Mary DeGeare
Public Information Office
661-326-3803
mdegeare@bakersfieldpd.us
For Immediate Release June 4, 2012
On 6/3/12, at about 7:35 p.m., Bakersfield Police arrested Gregory Adam Ortiz 24, for attempted murder of a police
officer.
On 6/3/12, at about 7:30 p.m., Officers Jerry Whisenhunt and Chuck Sherman were patrolling in the area of North
Baker and Goodman Streets when they observed three male occupants in a white four door Grand Am or Grand Prix.
The officers observed the driver of that vehicle to commit a traffic violation and made a U turn to effect a traffic stop.
The driver pulled into the store parking lot at North Baker and Bernard Streets and stopped. The officers observed
the right front passenger, later identified as Ortiz, exit the vehicle and run west on Bernard Street.
Officer Whisenhunt gave chase and as he was gaining on Ortiz, Ortiz ran into a driveway in the 600 block of Bernard
Street and positioned himself behind a parked truck. Ortiz, who was armed with a handgun, raised the weapon and
pointed it at Officer Whisenhunt. Officer Whisenhunt drew his gun in self-defense, however beyond Ortiz, was a
group of individuals who were in the officer’s line of fire, precluding him from shooting at Ortiz. Ortiz’ motions and
reaction suggested he pulled the trigger but the weapon did not fire. Ortiz turned and ran but immediately threw the
gun on the ground.
Officer Whisenhunt recovered the weapon, which was laying unprotected in an open front yard, and continued to
chase Ortiz.
Officer Whisenhunt lost sight of Ortiz as he ducked into a back yard and over a fence. Officers followed, and could
hear Ortiz’ movements as he continued to try to evade them. As officers set up a perimeter, Ortiz reemerged back out
onto Bernard Street and at this point he was wearing a different shirt, which was inside out and worn backward. Ortiz
was initially resistant to Officer Whisenhunt’s commands but he eventually complied and officers took him into
custody.
Ortiz’ original clothing was recovered from the yard where he concealed himself and a witness reported him as
crouching down in that yard, prior to climbing back over the fence and onto Bernard Street where he was
apprehended.
The firearm recovered from Ortiz was loaded and determined to be stolen. He was arrested for attempted murder of
a police officer, resisting arrest, weapons violations, possession of stolen property, and participation in a criminal
street gang.
Police are still looking to identify the driver and second passenger who were in the vehicle when Ortiz ran from it.
Anyone with information related to this vehicle or the occupants is encouraged to call Detective Scott Hughes at 326-
3501.
You can now send an anonymous text message to the Bakersfield Police Department. It’s quick and it’s easy. Simply enter
274637 into your phone and text BPDCRIMES along with your message. The text is sent to the police department and the
sender remains completely anonymous.
Tips can also be anonymously sent through the smartphone “TipSubmit” mobile App or via email at https://www.tipsubmit.com.