On July 9, 2023, at approximately 3:20 a.m., Bakersfield police officers responded to reports of a shooting near the 1800 block of Bradley Avenue, west of South H Street. Upon arrival, they discovered 38-year-old Kenneth McCarty Ricks lying in the roadway with gunshot wounds. Ricks was transported to Kern Medical, where he was pronounced dead at 4:13 a.m.
A second man was also found at the scene with gunshot injuries and was taken to a nearby hospital in critical condition.
As of the latest reports, he remains hospitalized.
The Bakersfield Police Department initiated an investigation into the incident but, as of the latest available information, has not identified any suspects or made any arrests. Authorities have urged anyone with information regarding the shooting to contact the Bakersfield Police Department at (661) 327-7111.
Prior to his death, Ricks had multiple encounters with law enforcement. In August 2016, he was arrested in Kern County for resisting or obstructing a peace officer, battery on a spouse or cohabitant, and disobeying a domestic relations court order. Earlier, in June 2010, he faced charges including resisting or obstructing a peace officer, battery on a peace officer, and inflicting corporal injury on a spouse or cohabitant. Additionally, in October 2012, Ricks was arrested for possession of cocaine base for sale and the sale or transportation of a controlled substance.
Despite these prior incidents, the investigation into Ricks' death remains open, with no new developments reported. The community and law enforcement continue to seek information that could lead to the identification and apprehension of those responsible for the shooting.
