BAKERSFIELD, Calif.(KBAK/KBFX) — A man convicted of shooting a man to death for seeing his ex-girlfriend in October 2024 has been sentenced to life in prison plus 25 years without the possibility of parole, according to the Kern County Superior Court.
Christopher Tovar was found guilty last month of first-degree murder with a special circumstance of murder by discharging a firearm from a motor vehicle. Tovar received an additional 25 years to life in prison on enhancement charges, said court officials.
The Kern County DA’s Office said the victim, Rudy Herrera, had recently begun seeing Tovar’s then-ex-girlfriend. Just after noon on October 4, 2024, Tovar messaged Lacey Guerra, a close acquaintance, telling her that he needed help. After the two figured out where the victim was staying with a friend on Panama Street, Guerra drove Tovar to the home.
The DA’s office said once at the house, Tovar fired two rounds from the passenger seat of the vehicle at Herrera, who was standing in the front yard. The two rounds missed as Herrera ran to the back of the house. Three minutes later, Tovar returned and fired two additional rounds at Herrera, who was standing in the middle of the yard on his cell phone.
The two rounds struck Herrera, one entering his left chest and striking his heart, and another hitting him in the lower pelvis that exited his lower back. Despite medical aid, Herrera was pronounced dead at the scene…