Gregory Sean Aguilar, a 31-year-old resident of Bakersfield, California, was tragically killed on December 15, 2020, in a shooting incident near Stramler Park. The Bakersfield Police Department responded to a ShotSpotter activation around 4:30 p.m. and found Aguilar and a woman with severe gunshot wounds. Aguilar was pronounced dead at the scene, while the woman was transported to a hospital with moderate to major injuries.
The incident occurred at the intersection of 38th Street and Chester Avenue, where witnesses reported seeing a vehicle approach the victims before the shooting. The Kern County Coroner's Office later confirmed Aguilar's identity and conducted a postmortem examination to determine the cause and manner of death.
The investigation revealed that the shooting was gang-related. According to court documents, the suspects, Daniel Lopez-Santiago and Alfredo Naranjo, were involved in the incident. Lopez-Santiago, identified as the shooter, and Naranjo, the driver, approached Aguilar and the woman, asking Aguilar to identify his gang affiliation. After Aguilar responded, the suspects left but returned shortly after, opening fire on the victims. Surveillance footage captured the license plate of the suspects' vehicle, which was traced back to Palmdale. Further investigation linked Lopez-Santiago to the vehicle through a phone number provided during a service appointment.
In February 2023, a Kern County jury convicted Lopez-Santiago of first-degree murder and attempted murder. He faces a life sentence with the possibility of parole after serving 75 years. However, the jury could not reach a verdict for Naranjo, resulting in a mistrial. Naranjo is scheduled for a retrial in April 2023. The case highlights the ongoing issue of gang violence in Bakersfield and the efforts of law enforcement to bring those responsible to justice. The Bakersfield Police Department continues to encourage anyone with information about the case to come forward, as the investigation remains active.
