Lake Isabella, California – A late-night law enforcement encounter ended in a fatal officer-involved shooting after an armed man allegedly fired a handgun and fled deputies, prompting a prolonged pursuit and road closure near Highway 178.
According to the Kern County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were dispatched around 12:40 a.m. Jan. 11 to the 5300 block of Lake Isabella Boulevard following multiple 9-1-1 calls reporting shots fired. Investigators later identified the suspect as Fernando Padilla, 39, who allegedly discharged a firearm in a populated area before fleeing on foot toward Highway 178.
Sheriff’s officials said the incident followed a domestic violence call approximately three hours earlier in the 1700 block of Kilbreth Avenue, where Padilla was reported to be in possession of a firearm and possibly suicidal. Deputies initially chose not to arrest him, citing his mental state and the misdemeanor nature of the offense.
When deputies located Padilla again overnight, they attempted to take him into custody. Authorities said Padilla ignored commands and led deputies on a more than 20-minute pursuit, during which deputies used de-escalation tactics and requested additional resources, including crisis negotiators, air support, K-9 units, and allied agencies.
Deputies deployed a less-lethal 40 mm launcher, striking Padilla twice. Investigators said Padilla then allegedly fired two rounds at deputies from the roadway of Highway 178. After additional commands were ignored, deputies fired again with a less-lethal round. Officials said Padilla turned toward deputies with the firearm still in his hands, and an officer-involved shooting occurred.
Padilla was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Homicide detectives assumed the investigation, and the involved deputies were placed on routine administrative leave. The case was reviewed by the Kern County District Attorney’s Office and an Incident Review Board, which concluded on Feb. 4 that the use of force was within department policy.
The incident caused temporary traffic disruptions along Highway 178, impacting early-morning commuters in the Lake Isabella area.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Kern County Sheriff’s Office at (661) 861-3110 or Kern Secret Witness at (661) 322-4040.
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