On the night of September 18, 2023, at approximately 11 p.m., 43-year-old Daniel Leland Santana Landeros was fatally shot at Yokuts Park in Bakersfield, California. Landeros, a dedicated advocate for the LGBTQ+ community, was celebrating his birthday with a friend when the incident occurred. According to court documents, the two were approached by a man who directed homophobic slurs toward them. Landeros confronted the individual, leading to a verbal altercation.
Moments later, a single gunshot was fired, striking Landeros in the chest and resulting in his death at the scene.
The Bakersfield Police Department launched an investigation and, on October 4, 2023, arrested 27-year-old Delano resident, Fredi Rivera, in connection with the shooting. Rivera was charged with first-degree murder and was also noted to be in violation of a 10-year firearm prohibition stemming from a prior conviction. Court documents reveal that Rivera allegedly used a homophobic slur immediately before the shooting, leading many to believe the crime was motivated by hate. Despite these allegations, the Kern County District Attorney's Office stated that, at that time, no hate crime charges or enhancements had been filed against Rivera.
Landeros was well-known in the community for his activism, particularly in advocating for LGBTQ+ rights, immigration reform, and civil liberties. He was a graduate of Highland High School and furthered his education in sociology at Bakersfield College and the University of California, Los Angeles. His commitment to education led him to become a sociology professor at Portland Community College, and he had plans to pursue a Ph.D. Landeros is survived by his partner, father, sister, and niece.
As of December 2024, Rivera's trial has been postponed to March 10, 2025. The decision to delay the trial was made to allow for further preparation by both the defense and prosecution. The case continues to draw attention from advocacy groups and the local community, who are closely monitoring the proceedings and urging for justice to be served in honor of Landeros's legacy.
