February 10, 2026 – Kern County Sheriff’s Office officials report that on January 11, 2026, at approximately 12:40 a.m., deputies assigned to the Kern Valley substation responded to the area of the 5300 block of Lake Isabella Boulevard for multiple reports of a male subject firing a handgun. Deputies made contact with the suspect, Fernando Padilla, age 39, who fled on foot to the area of Highway 178, where an officer involved shooting occurred (view video below).
Approximately 3 hours prior to the officer involved shooting, the Kern County Sheriff’s Office received a 9-1-1 call reporting domestic violence in the 1700 block of Kilbreth Avenue. Deputies responded and investigated the report of domestic violence. During the course of the investigation, Padilla refused to communicate with deputies and the victim was transported by deputies to a separate safe location. It was reported Padilla was in possession of a firearm and was possibly suicidal but had not threatened anyone with the firearm. Deputies made the decision to disengage as a de-escalation strategy, due to various factors including the suspect’s mental state and the severity of the crime being a misdemeanor.
At approximately 12:40 a.m., Kern County Sheriff’s Office received multiple 9-1-1 calls reporting shots fired near Lake Isabella Boulevard. Upon arrival, deputies learned of Padilla’s possible location on Lake Isabella Boulevard. Deputies determined Padilla established a behavior pattern of wanton disregard for human life by discharging the firearm in a populated area in violation of PC 246.3(a) – Unlawful Discharge of a Firearm. Deputies first made contact with Padilla at 12:50 a.m., but he ignored lawful commands and fled on foot, with deputies maintaining close pursuit. Throughout the incident, deputies employed multiple de-escalation strategies for more than 20 minutes…