Police responded to reports of an attempted kidnapping. Michael Alvarez led police on a chase that ended near southbound Highway 99 and I-5. It was at that point CHP took over. The driver refused to get out of the car or listen to commands and crashed the car before stopping. After an hour-long negotiation with him, officers got the man out of the car by deploying a Taser, killing him.
Agency: California Highway Patrol, Bakersfield Police Department
Motive: kidnapping/sexual assault
Confrontation Type: Violent Crime
Service Call: Yes
Official Disposition: Pending investigation
Victim Name: Michael Alvarez
Death Date: May 12, 2021
County: Kern
Geography: Rural
Gender: Male
Age: 44
Race: Hispanic
Cause of Death: Taser
Criminal Charges: No known charges
Mental Illness: No
Armed: Unclear
Weapon: undetermined