BAKERSFIELD — A man who fired shots at a deputy and then slit his own throat on Wednesday night lies in a hospital bed facing charges of attempted murder of a police officer.
Listed in critical condition, but expected to survive, Bernardo Mendoza, 33, will be booked for attempted murder of a peace officer and assault with a firearm on a peace officer. His bail will be set at $600,000.
According to the Kern County Sheriff’s Office, the incident began when a deputy responded to a prowler call in the 2000 block of Pacific Street in east Bakersfield at around 1:30 a.m. on January 7.
While talking to the victim in the front yard, Mendoza, fired several rounds from a stolen handgun at the deputies patrol car, striking the vehicle several times.
A foot chased ensued and, along with additional deputies, Mendoza was located in the front yard of a home in the 1500 block of Palm Drive where he picked up a broken bottle, cutting his throat while yelling at deputies to kill him.
Deputies were eventually able to restrain Mendoza, who was taken to nearby Kern Medical Center where he underwent emergency surgery. No deputies were injured during the incident and a motive for the shooting has not been determined.
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KERO: Man slits throat with bottle after shooting
