ShotSpotter technology (SST) that was previously installed into some of the high gun-crime neighborhoods or wards in Bakersfield in order to capture gunfire and clean up crime pockets in these vulnerable neighborhoods, was activated on March 9. Within hours, three men were shot and one man was dead.

Ruben Antonio Garcia, a 26-year old Bakersfield resident was shot in the front yard of a residence on E. 10th.

Anthony Michael Gage,22 and Trevon Lee Foreman, 22, are suspected of being complicit in the murder of Garcia. Gage was arrested on March 11 in connection with the drive-by shooting and was booked on murder and conspiracy charges as well as participation in a criminal street gang, according to police. Foreman is currently at large.

Willie Rivera, councilmember of Ward 1, the ward in which the drive-by shooting occurred, said about the technology’s ability to catch gunfire incidents, “We have had great results so far. It has assisted officers in locating a couple of crime scenes that otherwise would have gone unreported. Several arrests for gun possession that probably would not have been made as well.”

The recent arrest and pending arrests and convictions may serve as a deterrent to criminals, according to councilmember Rivera.

So far ShotSpotter technology has been successfully detecting gunfire since its installation. On March 19, however, while the technology detected an incident of gunfire, the actual shooting occurred outside of the designated area where a man was found moderately wounded.