BAKERSFIELD, CA - Police are investigating whether a shooting death inside a northeast Bakersfield home was an act of self-defense or a crime.
The shooting happened just before 5 a.m. Monday in the 4100 block of Christmas Tree Lane. The man killed is identified as 35-year-old Shawn Christian Ibarra.
Bakersfield police said Ibarra was released early from jail, because of AB 109.
Police said Ibarra armed himself with a breaker bar and forced his way into the home through a door while threatening the homeowner's guest. Officers said the homeowner and guest barricaded themselves in the homeowner's bedroom.
They said Ibarra attempted to force open that door, while continuing to threaten the guest. According to police, the homeowner said he feared for his safety and his guest's safety and fired one shot that killed Ibarra.
Neighbors said for years, they had only seen an older man at the home, who would leave for work with a briefcase. Five days ago, neighbors saw a younger couple moved into the home at 4 a.m. The couple was often heard arguing loudly outside in the early morning hours.
"It was just unusual movement," said neighbor Francien Fox. "People moving in too late of a time frame. There's not too much that goes on at that house, so just unusual. Unusual people that weren't there before."
Police said there are no charges currently pending against the homeowner and the case will be sent to the Kern County District Attorney's Office for review.
The shooting happened just before 5 a.m. Monday in the 4100 block of Christmas Tree Lane. The man killed is identified as 35-year-old Shawn Christian Ibarra.
Bakersfield police said Ibarra was released early from jail, because of AB 109.
Police said Ibarra armed himself with a breaker bar and forced his way into the home through a door while threatening the homeowner's guest. Officers said the homeowner and guest barricaded themselves in the homeowner's bedroom.
They said Ibarra attempted to force open that door, while continuing to threaten the guest. According to police, the homeowner said he feared for his safety and his guest's safety and fired one shot that killed Ibarra.
Neighbors said for years, they had only seen an older man at the home, who would leave for work with a briefcase. Five days ago, neighbors saw a younger couple moved into the home at 4 a.m. The couple was often heard arguing loudly outside in the early morning hours.
"It was just unusual movement," said neighbor Francien Fox. "People moving in too late of a time frame. There's not too much that goes on at that house, so just unusual. Unusual people that weren't there before."
Police said there are no charges currently pending against the homeowner and the case will be sent to the Kern County District Attorney's Office for review.