The following is a summary of the events that took place leading up to an officer involved shooting on March 23, 2020. The information contained within is based on the investigation thus far.
On March 23, 2020, at about 2:23 pm, Kern County Sheriff’s Deputies were dispatched to the 3000 block of Pat Avenue in Mojave, California for a report of a peace disturbance. When they arrived, they were contacted by an elderly female who was a victim of physical abuse by her adult son who was still inside the residence. Deputies conducted an investigation and determined 50-year-old Charles Walsh had struck his 71-year-old mother causing a laceration.
A felony arrest warrant was obtained, and deputies surrounded the residence. With the residence surrounded, Walsh was advised of the arrest warrant and ordered to come out unarmed. Multiple commands were given to Walsh however he failed to comply. After several attempts to get Walsh to exit the residence, he armed himself with multiple firearms and began shooting at deputies from inside the residence. Three deputies returned fire as Walsh continued to shoot at them from multiple locations within the residence. During the gunfire, Walsh was struck several times and succumbed to his injuries.
The area was then secured pending the completion of an investigation by the Kern County Sheriff’s Office Homicide Unit.
The three deputies involved were placed on routine administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation. No deputies or civilians were injured during this incident.
Multiple witnesses in the area were interviewed by detectives however if anyone has further information, they are urged to contact the Sheriff’s Office at (661)861-3110.
