Christopher Kurt Rice Obituary – The Kern County Coroner’s Office has identified the man killed after being assaulted at Motel 6 on Oak Street as 51-year-old Christopher Kurt Rice of Frazier Park. The Bakersfield Police Department said on November 16, 2023, at around 5:25 p.m., officers were called to Motel 6 in the 300 block of Oak Street regarding an assault.
When officers arrived, they found Rice, who was a victim of an assault and was later pronounced dead. Police said the investigation found that the suspect allegedly pointed a gun at the victim and other people and demanded property.
According to police, during the robbery, the suspect allegedly assaulted Rice.
Police said the officers on scene got information regarding the suspect allegedly involved. Additional responding officers found and detained the alleged suspect in the 400 block of Oak Street, according to police.
The alleged suspect was identified as 41-year-old Juan Paniagua of Bakersfield. He was arrested for charges associated with robbery, assault with a firearm, and murder.