On April 30, 2023, at approximately 11:20 p.m., the Kern County Sheriff's Office responded to reports of a shooting in the 15900 block of H Street in Mojave, California. Upon arrival, deputies discovered four individuals suffering from gunshot wounds to the upper body. The victims were identified as 34-year-old Anna Marie Hester, 31-year-old Darius Travon Canada, 33-year-old Martina Barraza Jr., all residents of Mojave, and 20-year-old Faith Leighanne Rose Asbury of California City. Hester, Canada, and Barraza were pronounced dead at the scene, while Asbury was transported to Antelope Valley Hospital, where she succumbed to her injuries.
In the aftermath of the shooting, the Kern County Sheriff's Office initiated an extensive investigation to identify the responsible parties. Detectives pursued multiple leads and conducted interviews with several individuals. Evidence from the crime scene was submitted to the Kern County Crime Lab for DNA analysis, with results pending. The Sheriff's Office emphasized that the case appeared to be an isolated incident, suggesting that the victims were specifically targeted.
As of August 2024, significant developments occurred in the case. Prosecutors filed charges against two men in connection with the shooting deaths of the four individuals in Mojave. Ricardo Reyes-Partida, 34, faces four counts of first-degree murder, among other charges. Jonathan Steven Hernandez faces charges including accessory after the fact and attempted murder. Reyes-Partida pleaded not guilty on July 31, 2024, and is being held without bail. Hernandez has a warrant out for his arrest. Authorities are seeking information from the public to assist in locating Hernandez.
The investigation revealed that earlier on the day of the homicides, Reyes-Partida was seen arguing with two of the victims. He was also observed in possession of a firearm at the murder scene prior to the killings and was seen fleeing the scene afterward. Additionally, it is alleged that Reyes-Partida shot another person in Mojave earlier on the day of the homicides; that individual survived. A spent shell casing recovered at that scene matched casings found at the quadruple homicide, indicating the same firearm was used in both incidents.
The community of Mojave has been deeply affected by this tragedy. Family members and residents have expressed their grief and frustration over the loss of their loved ones and the prolonged investigation. The case has garnered significant media attention, with local news outlets providing updates and seeking public assistance in the investigation. The Kern County Sheriff's Office continues to encourage anyone with information related to the case to come forward to aid in the pursuit of justice for the victims and their families.
