BODFISH, Calif. — A Kern County man was killed early Sunday morning after a confrontation with sheriff’s deputies in the Lake Isabella area, authorities confirmed.
Fernando Padilla, 39, of Bodfish, died at the scene following what the Kern County Sheriff’s Office described as a deputy-involved shooting near Highway 178. The incident began just after midnight on January 11, when deputies responded to multiple 911 calls reporting a man firing a handgun near the intersection of Kilbreath Avenue and Lake Isabella Boulevard.
According to preliminary information released by the Sheriff’s Office, deputies located Padilla as he was moving from the area toward Highway 178. The situation escalated during the contact along the roadway, culminating in deputies using lethal force near the eastbound Kernville Road off-ramp.
Deputies on scene immediately administered first aid until emergency medical services arrived. Despite life-saving efforts, Padilla was pronounced dead at the location, which was later confirmed by the Kern County Coroner’s Office.
The Sheriff’s Office stated that the specific actions leading up to the shooting, including whether Padilla was armed during the final confrontation, remain part of an active investigation. The agency has not disclosed how many deputies were involved or how many rounds were fired.
In accordance with California law and county protocol following an officer-involved shooting, multiple investigations are now underway. The Sheriff’s Office’s homicide detectives are leading the criminal investigation, while an internal administrative review will examine policy compliance. All findings will eventually be submitted to the Kern County District Attorney’s Office for an independent criminal review to determine if the use of force was legally justified.
The death has stirred concern in the tight-knit mountain communities surrounding Lake Isabella. Neighbors described Padilla as a longtime resident of the area. Some expressed shock, while others called for transparency as the investigation proceeds.
“We need to know exactly what happened,” said Mira Soto, a local advocate familiar with the area. “Any loss of life is a tragedy, and the community deserves a clear, factual account of the events.”
The Kern County Sheriff’s Office has asked anyone with information about the incident, including witnesses or those with relevant video footage, to contact their tip line or Kern Secret Witness. No deputies were injured during the incident.
As the investigations continue, the community awaits further details about the confrontation that led to the early-morning fatality.