KCSO bodycam video, 911 audio leading to a deadly shooting of a man who was firing a handgun
By: -----
Lake Isabella, CA - The Kern County Sheriff’s Office said on Sunday, January 11, 2026, at around 12:40 a.m., deputies assigned to the Kern Valley Substation responded to the area of Kilbreth Avenue and Lake Isabella Boulevard for reports of a man firing a handgun.
KCSO said deputies made contact with the suspect, identified as 39-year-old Fernando Padilla, who ran away to the area of Highway 178, where a deputy-involved shooting happened.
According to KCSO, about three hours prior to the deputy-involved shooting, KCSO received a 911 call reporting domestic violence and responded to the 1700 block of Kilbreth Avenue.
KCSO released the audio of the 911 call. The call said the caller identified the suspect as her husband. KCSO said deputies investigated the report of domestic violence and the victim was taken by deputies to a separate, safe location in another town. During the course of the investigation, Padilla refused to communicate with deputies.
KCSO said it was reported Padilla was in possession of a gun and was possibly suicidal, but had not threatened anyone with the firearm. KCSO said 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 12:40 a.m., received multiple 9-1-1 calls reporting shots fired near Lake Isabella Boulevard. When deputies arrived, they 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. Deputies first made contact with Padilla at 12:50 a.m., but he ignored lawful commands and ran off. Deputies continued in pursuit. KCSO said throughout the incident, deputies employed multiple de-escalation strategies for more than 20 minutes.
Deputies followed Padilla for a distance of over a mile. They gave multiple verbal commands and opportunities for Padilla to comply. KCSO said as Padilla began walking westbound in the eastbound lanes of Highway 178, deputies warned Padilla that force would be used.
Padilla continued to run away and was struck with the less-lethal 40 mm round. Padilla responded by firing two rounds into the air. Deputies issued additional commands at gunpoint, but Padilla did not comply and continued walking in traffic lanes of Highway 178.
Deputies struck Padilla with a less lethal 40 mm round a second time, at which time Padilla turned to face deputies with the firearm in his hands. A deputy-involved shooting happened.
Fernando Padilla was pronounced dead on the scene.