PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

BAKERSFIELD POLICE DEPARTMENT

May 31, 2009

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 31, 2009

On 5/31/09, at about 0153 hours, Bakersfield Police Department Officers were conducting downtown order maintenance, in the area of 19^th and Eye Streets, when they noted a disturbance in the 1500 block of 19^th Street; which sent a crowd running in their direction.  The officers responded, on foot through the fleeing crowd, toward this disturbance; at which time they saw bottles hurled through the air and heard a single gunshot.

When officers reached the disturbance, several onlookers pointed out two subjects running east bound on 19^th Street, across Chester Avenue. The officers pursued these two subjects, on foot, and noted one of the subjects;

Dwayne Giovanni Wilcher, Male, 25,

was in possession of a handgun. Officers quickly overtook and detained the second subject, identified as;

Tony Grell Haynes, Male, 20.

Officers quickly realized Haynes was suffering from a gunshot wound to the upper right portion of his chest and summoned medical aid. Haynes is being treated at K.M.C. and is expected to recover from his injury.

Officers pursued Wilcher to the 1900 block of “K” Street, where he tossed down his gun and ran into the north alley of 19^th Street. Wilcher was located, crouched down beside a dumpster,  and after a brief struggle was apprehended. Due to the use of minimal force, Wilcher was examined at K.M.C. and medically cleared. Wilcher was booked into the K.C. Jail for assault with a deadly weapon, firearm violations, participation in gang activity, and resisting arrest.

Anyone with information is encouraged to call the Bakersfield Police Department at 327-7111.

SC

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In a continuing effort to provide the community with more efficient police services, the Bakersfield Police Department has established an on-line reporting system for low priority report calls. The address is http//policereport.bakersfieldpd.us.