LAKE ISABELLA — A 56-year-old man suspected of shooting and killing another man remains free after authorities said he acted in self defense. This determination was based on information and evidence that the Kern County Sheriff’s Office said it developed during the investigation of the shooting death of 49-year-old Michael Tarman on Tuesday.
According to the sheriff’s department, deputies responded to a report of a shooting at a residence in the 2100 block of Angler Avenue in Lake Isabella at about 9:30 p.m. on Feb. 25. When they arrived, deputies said they found that Tarman was suffering from a gunshot wound to his upper left hip area. He was airlifted to Kern Medical Center in nearby Bakersfield, where he was pronounced dead a short time later.
Detectives initiated a homicide investigation, in which they learned that Tarman and a single adult female had arrived at the home of Timothy Best to retrieve some personal property. “When Best refused to return the property, the victim brandished a knife at him,” said Kern County Sheriff’s Department Public Information Officer. “At that time, Mr. Best, who was armed with a shotgun, fired one round at the victim, striking him near the hip.”
Pruitt also added that detectives were able to recover the shotgun and the knife at the scene. “Once detectives complete their investigation, the case will then be turned over to the Kern County District Attorney’s Office for its review,” Pruitt said.
Read more:
KERO: Sheriff’s deputies investigate Lake Isabella homicide
