Kern County Sheriff's video: Double Homicide Investigation 4-12-23

On April 12, 2023, at 5:10 p.m., Kern County Sheriff’s Office deputies were dispatched to the 1200 block of South Union Avenue for a shooting that had just occurred. When deputies arrived, they located an adult male on the property suffering from multiple gunshot wounds and a second adult male inside the residence located on the same property also suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Medical aid personnel responded to the scene and transported both victims to the hospital for treatment. Unfortunately, both victims succumbed to their injuries and were pronounced deceased at the hospital. Through investigation and reviewing video surveillance, deputies developed probable cause to believe the suspect, Brian Castellon, age 29, shot and killed both victims at South Union Avenue. Deputies learned from surveillance that Castellon attempted to carjack two other victims near Adams Street and South Union Avenue before breaking into a residence in the 200 block of Adams Street. One of these two victims has not been identified or come forward. Kern County Sheriff’s Office began receiving additional 911 calls regarding a possible shooting victim in the 200 block at Adams Street. Deputies contacted the victims at that location, they reported that a suspect armed with a gun, later determined to be Castellon, forced entry by breaking a sliding glass door into his residence and demanded keys to his car and fled out the front door of the residence. As the victims attempted to flee in a separate vehicle, the suspect attempted to carjack the victims as the vehicle was in motion. The victims did not stop and Castellon shot at the driver and struck his hand as the victims fled. At approximately 5:20 p.m., deputies saw Castellon walking East on Adams Street and contacted him near Shields Drive. When deputies made contact, he was armed with a firearm and ordered to drop the firearm. He complied and was taken into custody without further incident. While taking Castellon into custody, the suspect had lacerations on his arm consistent with those causes by breaking glass windows. No force was used on the suspect. Castellon was transported to the hospital for treatment of those injuries. Castellon was booked into Kern County Central Receiving Facility for 2 counts of murder, 2 counts of attempt murder, 2 counts of assault with a firearm, false imprisonment with violence, burglary, exhibiting a firearm, felon in possession of a firearm, prohibited person in possession of ammunition, and multiple gang charges. Castellon was on parole and released from prison on April 5, 2023. Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to contact the Kern County Sheriff’s Office at (661)861-3110 or Secret Witness at (661)322-4040.