A man has been arrested on suspicion of murder in connection to a double homicide in Kern County.
According to a press release by the Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded on the afternoon of Wednesday, April 12, to a report of a shooting on the 1200 block of South Union Avenue. At the scene, deputies discovered an adult male on the property who had sustained multiple gunshot wounds. Inside a residence on the same property, another adult male was found with similar injuries.
Medical aid personnel quickly arrived at the scene and transported both victims to a nearby hospital for treatment. Despite life-saving efforts by medical personnel, both individuals ultimately passed away due to their injuries.
Based on an investigation and review of area video surveillance footage, deputies identified the suspect as 29-year-old Brian Castellon. The Sheriff’s Office suspects that Castellon shot and killed both victims at the South Union Avenue location. Further surveillance footage revealed that prior to the shooting, the suspect had attempted to carjack two individuals near the intersection of Adams Street and South Union Avenue. One of these victims remains unidentified and has not come forward at this time, the Sheriff’s Office said.
The Sheriff’s Office began receiving more calls regarding a possible shooting victim on the 200 block of Adams Street. Deputies responded to the scene and made contact with the victims. The victims reportedly told deputies that a suspect armed with a gun, later identified as Castellon, forcefully entered their residence by breaking a sliding glass door. The suspect demanded the keys to their car and subsequently fled through the front door when the victims refused. As the victims tried to escape in a separate vehicle, the suspect attempted to carjack them while the vehicle was in motion. The victims, however, did not stop, and the suspect allegedly fired at the driver, striking his hand, before the victims managed to escape.
Shortly before 5:30 PM, deputies came across Castellon walking east on Adams Street near Shields Drive. Castellon was armed with a firearm at the time of the encounter, but complied with the deputies’ commands to drop the weapon without resistance. During the arrest, deputies reportedly noticed lacerations on Castellon’s arm, consistent with injuries that could have resulted from breaking glass with one’s hand. Castellon was arrested without incident.
Following medical clearance, Castellon was booked into the Kern County Central Receiving Facility on suspicion of murder, attempted murder, assault with a firearm, false imprisonment with violence, burglary, exhibiting a firearm, felon in possession of a firearm, prohibited person in possession of ammunition, and multiple gang-related charges.
Castellon had only recently been released from prison on parole, on April 5, the Sheriff’s Office said.
Authorities are urging anyone with information related to this case to contact the Kern County Sheriff’s Office at (661) 861-3110 or provide anonymous tips through Secret Witness at (661) 322-4040.
