Dontrell Demetrius Smith Death – The man who was shot and killed on V Street on April 25 has been positively identified by coroner officials. Bakersfield Police officers arrived at the scene near 8th Street after receiving a Shot Spotter alert around 6:45 p.m. Dontrell Demetrius Smith, 29, of Bakersfield, was discovered shot in the road by a passerby.
Marlon Burch, 31, and Rodney Gipson, 35, were taken into custody as suspects in connection to the homicide. They have been charged with murder and criminal street gang offenses. According to Kern County Superior Court records, Burch and Gipson are scheduled to appear for a hearing on July 30.
The autopsy results confirmed that the cause of death was multiple gunshot wounds, ruling the manner of death as a homicide.