Bakersfield police have released videos of a shootout between police officers and a heavily armed gunman Esmeraldo Martinez Vivanco.
Bakersfield Police Department Press Release Re: Esmeraldo Martinez Vivanco Shooting
The Bakersfield Police Department has posted a community debriefing regarding the officer-involved shooting that occurred on January 18, 2024, in the 1300 block of Chester Avenue. The debriefings contain actual footage of the shootings and summations of information known to officers at the time. The videos can be found on the Bakersfield Police Department website.
Chief of Police Greg Terry said, “The public has a legitimate interest in obtaining timely and accurate information about police shootings, and the Bakersfield Police Department is committed to making that information available. We will release the body worn camera footage of officers in critical incidents as soon as it is possible to do so without compromising an investigation. This is our commitment to accountability and professionalism.”
Officers who discharged their firearms are identified as Officer Ward, Officer Maduena, Officer Garcia, Officer Flores, Officer Baker, Senior Officer Jordan, and Sergeant Cason.
Officer Ward has been employed as a police officer with the Bakersfield Police Department for approximately one and a half years.
Officer Maduena has been employed as a police officer with the Bakersfield Police Department for approximately two and a half years.
Officer Garcia has been employed as a police officer with the Bakersfield Police Department for approximately one and a half years.
Officer Flores has been employed as a police officer with the Bakersfield Police Department for approximately two years.
Officer Baker has been employed as a police officer with the Bakersfield Police Department for approximately one year.
Senior Officer Jordan has been employed as a police officer with the Bakersfield Police Department for approximately eleven years.
Sergeant Cason has been employed as a police officer with the Bakersfield Police Department for approximately sixteen years.