On June 26, 2023, at approximately 12:01 a.m., deputies from the Kern County Sheriff's Office responded to reports of a shooting in the 1800 block of Bay Meadow Drive in Wasco, California. Upon arrival, they discovered 29-year-old Jose Eduardo Lopez Delgadillo, who had sustained fatal gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Following an investigation, on August 18, 2023, authorities arrested 20-year-old Cesar Zarate-Hernandez on suspicion of murder in connection with
Delgadillo's death. However, on August 15, 2023, the Kern County District Attorney's Office declined to file charges against Zarate-Hernandez, citing insufficient evidence. As a result, he was released from custody, and the case was returned to the Kern County Sheriff's Office for further investigation.
As of now, no additional arrests have been made, and the investigation into the circumstances surrounding Delgadillo's death remains ongoing. Authorities continue to seek information from the public to aid in solving the case. Anyone with relevant information is encouraged to contact the Kern County Sheriff's Office or the Secret Witness Hotline.
