On 03/31/18 at approximately 1941 hours, Shafter PD officers went to the 300 block of Atlantic Avenue in Shafter to follow up on a theft investigation. Officers spoke with the resident identified as 55 year old John Wells. Wells became upset and brandished a shotgun. Wells then barricaded himself in the residence. The Shafter Police officers requested assistance from the Kern County Sheriff’s Office.
Kern County Sheriff’s Office SWAT and other specialized units arrived on scene. While attempting to get Wells to exit the residence, Wells fired multiple shots from the residence. Four KCSO SWAT Team members shot back at Wells. Wells continued to barricade himself in the residence.
KCSO SWAT Members deployed tear gas into the residence until Wells eventually exited the residence and was taken into custody. Wells had a minor injury on his chest. Wells was taken to KMC and treated. He was booked for 7 violations of PC 664/187 attempted murder, PC 245 (d)(1) assault on a peace officer with a firearm, PC 417.8 brandishing a firearm in the presence of a peace officer, PC 245(a)(2) assault on peace officer with a semiautomatic firearm and PC 148(a)(1) resisting arrest.
