BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — The Kern County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO) has released body camera footage detailing the chaotic and violent moments leading up to the arrest of a 17-year-old suspect, Annette Garcia, after an officer-involved shooting in California City earlier this year.
The confrontation, which occurred on April 21, left both Garcia and California City Police Officer Michael Kelakios injured.
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- 1 911 Call Sparked Swift Police Response
- 2 Gunfire Erupts: Officer and Teen Both Wounded
- 3 Final Arrest Captured on Camera
- 4 Legal Proceedings Underway
- 5 Use of Force Deemed Within Policy
911 Call Sparked Swift Police Response
The video, released Thursday afternoon, begins with a chilling 911 call from a local witness.
“There is a girl walking towards Lime right now. Red bandana. She just shot a gun. She just put it in her pocket,” the caller says, adding, “She just saw my son. She waved at him.”
The witness, along with others, observed the teen walking near Corwin Street and Lime Avenue, visibly armed. One report indicates that Garcia fired at a white van, penetrating both the vehicle and a package inside.
Gunfire Erupts: Officer and Teen Both Wounded
Two California City police officers, Officer Timothy Stivers and Officer Michael Kelakios, responded to the scene. While Stivers interviewed witnesses, Kelakios located Garcia on Hickory Avenue, where the situation escalated.
According to the sheriff’s office, Kelakios exchanged gunfire with Garcia, firing 15 rounds. Garcia was struck twice — once in the right hip and once in the left elbow. Officer Kelakios was shot in the leg and has been on medical leave since the incident.
In the footage, a wounded Kelakios tells his partner:
“She just pulled [the gun] out and shot right at me, bro…wearing like grey pants, grey hoodie, Hispanic female, black hair. Go get ’em dude.”
Officer Stivers applied a tourniquet to Kelakios before continuing the pursuit.
Final Arrest Captured on Camera
Justin Vincent, California City’s Director of Public Safety, joined the chase and confronted Garcia at gunpoint with an AR-15 rifle. Officers ordered her to surrender as she lay injured on the ground.
“Show us your hands, now! Put your hands up! All the way up!” officers are heard yelling in the video.
Garcia, visibly in pain, repeatedly tells officers, “I can’t,” when ordered to lay on her stomach.
While being taken into custody, Garcia tearfully explains:
“I’m sorry. I was just trying to help my family. They were trying to kill my family.”
She was found carrying extra ammunition and a knife.
Legal Proceedings Underway
Garcia is currently in Juvenile Hall awaiting a competency trial. Prosecutors say the firearms used were unsecured at her mother’s residence. Garcia faces nine charges, including:
-
Two counts of attempted murder
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Assault with a firearm on a peace officer
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Carrying a loaded firearm in public
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Being a minor in possession of ammunition
Her mother has also been arrested and charged with felony firearm negligence.
Garcia was initially treated at Antelope Valley Hospital. A court-ordered mental competency exam has been completed, and a judge will now determine if she is fit to stand trial.
Use of Force Deemed Within Policy
The Kern County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that the use of force by law enforcement officers in this case was found to be within department policy following an internal review.
