On December 12, 2018, at approximately 7:32 pm, two Kern County Sheriff’s Deputies assigned to the Electronic Monitoring Program went to a residence in the 300 block of McCord Avenue in Bakersfield, California to conduct a compliance check on a program participant. When they arrived, they made contact with a subject seated on the stairs leading to the residence they were checking. Deputies began a conversation with the subject who provided a false name to them. The subject was not the person deputies were there to contact and told the deputies that he did not live at the residence.
After a few minutes, the subject, later identified as 35-year-old John Paul Jones of Bakersfield, stood up, fled to the front door of the residence and tried to force his way into the residence. Deputy Charles Leask, a 9-year veteran of the Sheriff’s Office, immediately reacted to Jones attempting to flee and force his way into the residence by grabbing Jones in an attempt to detain and stop him. As Jones continued to struggle with Deputy Leask at the top of the steps, they fell backward down the steps and onto the ground. The fall caused a loaded .44 caliber revolver Jones had in his possession to fall to the ground within close proximity of Jones and the two deputies.
Once on the ground, Jones continued to resist Deputy Leask’s commands, continued to struggle with Deputy Leask, and was reaching toward the loaded handgun on the ground. Deputy Charles Moore, a 16-year veteran of the Sheriff’s Office, was on scene assisting Deputy Leask. Fearing for his safety and the safety of Deputy Leask who was attempting to control Jones, Deputy Moore fired one round from his duty weapon striking Jones in the shoulder in close proximity to prevent him from grabbing the loaded handgun and shooting deputies.
After being struck, Jones stopped reaching for the handgun and was able to be placed in handcuffs. Medical aid was provided by deputies on scene and then by responding medical personnel. Jones was transported to the hospital for his injuries and released a short time later. Deputies also searched a backpack belonging to Jones and found large quantities of suspected methamphetamine, heroin and cocaine.
During the chaotic struggle with Jones, the round fired by Deputy Moore travelled through Jones and ultimately struck Deputy Leask who was actively trying to restrain Jones from grabbing the firearm. Deputy Leask was struck by the round in the wrist causing a moderate injury. He was treated at a local hospital and released.
Jones has been booked into the Kern County Jail and is currently facing charges of resisting a peace officer causing serious injury, possession of a firearm by a felon, possession of ammunition by a felon, being under the influence of a controlled substance while armed with a firearm, possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of sales and participation in a criminal street gang.
Deputy Moore has been placed on routine administrative leave while the incident is being investigated.
