Kern County Sheriff’s Office Press Release Re: Cole Jackson Hughes Shooting
On the afternoon of March 10, 2024, Kern County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a report of domestic violence in the 200 block of East Beardsley Avenue. Deputies made contact with armed suspect Cole Jackson Hughes.
At approximately 1:35 p.m., KCSO deputies were involved in an officer-involved shooting in the 200 block of East Beardsley Avenue in Bakersfield, CA. Deputies issued verbal commands to de-escalate for over 20 minutes.
On April 4, 2024, the Kern County Sheriff’s Office convened a Critical Incident Review Board examining the use of force in this incident. The use of force in this incident was determined to be within department policy.
Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to contact the Kern County Sheriff’s Office at (661)861-3110 or Secret Witness at (661)322-4040.
California Department of Justice Training Bulletin
Subject: Determination of “Deadly Weapon” in Officer
Involved Shooting (OIS) Incidents as AB 1506
qualifying events
TO: ALL DISTRICT ATTORNEYS, CHIEFS OF POLICE, SHERIFFS, AND STATE LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES
Effective July 1, 2021, pursuant to Assembly Bill (AB) 1506 (Chapter 326, Statutes of 2020), the Department of Justice (DOJ) is required to investigate “incidents of an officer-involved shooting resulting in the death of an unarmed civilian.” (Gov. Code, § 12525.3, subd. (b)(1).)
Determination of “Deadly Weapon” in Officer Involved Shooting (OIS) Incidents as AB 1506 qualifying events.
The purpose of this advisory is to provide guidance for all law enforcement partners in determining whether an officer-involved shooting (OIS) qualifies as an AB 1506 event. DOJ deployment does not suggest, in any way, criminal culpability.
Deadly Weapon
Per AB 1506, OIS Investigation Procedural Guidelines: A “deadly weapon” includes, but is not limited to, any loaded weapon from which a shot, readily capable of producing death or other serious physical injury, may be discharged, or a switchblade knife, pilum, ballistic knife, metal knuckle knife, dagger, billy, blackjack, plastic knuckles, or metal knuckles. (Gov. Code, § 12525.3, subd. (a)(1).)
All firearms, and BB/pellet guns, even if unloaded or inoperable, are deadly weapons.
Objects that have a legitimate non-weapon purpose are considered deadly weapons only when, based on all the circumstances, they are used in a manner likely to produce death or great bodily injury. The following are examples of objects that have been considered a deadly weapon when used in that manner: knives, box cutters, screwdrivers, bottles, chains, automobiles, rocks, razor blades, baseball bats, and iron bars.
Replica firearms (including Airsoft guns) are not considered deadly weapons unless they are used in some particular manner likely to produce death or great bodily injury (e.g., as a bludgeon).
Use of Deadly Weapon
In determining whether an OIS qualifies as an AB 1506 event, the evaluation process is not to be based solely on the mere possession of a “deadly weapon” or other object (e.g., a visible sheathed knife), but must also consider whether the weapon was “used in a manner likely to produce death or great bodily injury” at the time of the shooting. The totality of circumstances of an incident are considered in making such a determination.