Detectives Identify, Arrest 2 Suspects Allegedly Involved in August Shooting of Female in Valley Plaza Parking Lot

BAKERSFIELD, CA, Sept. 8 (KNN) — The Bakersfield Police Department announced on Thursday the identities and arrests of the suspects involved in the August shooting of a woman in a mall parking lot in the city of Bakersfield.

The shooting took place Aug. 2, 2023, at approximately 8:13 p.m. in the Valley Plaza parking lot on the 2700 block of Ming Avenue. Bakersfield Police Department detectives have determined the victim went to the location for a prearranged meeting, according to the Bakersfield PD’s press release of the incident. While at the meeting, suspects involved in the meeting shot the victim.

The wounded adult female victim was transported to a local hospital in critical condition.

Detectives identified the two suspects involved in the shooting as Joe Garcia, 53, of Rosamond, and Abraham Hernandez-Morales, 19, of Bakersfield. Arrest warrants were obtained for Garcia and Hernandez-Morales for charges associated with aggravated assault with a firearm and attempted murder, stated the press release.

Bakersfield PD detectives arrested Garcia on Aug. 17, pursuant to the issued warrant. Detectives served the warrant on the 2600 block of Starbrite Avenue in Rosamond, Bakersfield PD reported.

Detectives located Hernandez-Morales in the 17900 block of Sierra Highway in the city of Santa Clarita on Sept. 1, where he was arrested pursuant to a warrant issued for his arrest related to his role in the Aug. 2 shooting of an adult female in the 2700 block of Ming Avenue, according to Bakersfield PD.

This is an ongoing investigation. Anyone with information regarding this case is encouraged to call the Bakersfield Police Department at (661) 327-7111.

Video and photo are from the previous Key News Network report of the incident on the night of the Aug. 2, 2023, shooting.