By New York Post (U.S.) | Created at 2026-08-10 20:26:12 | Updated at 2026-08-10 22:06:59
1 hour ago
Three teenagers were arrested for allegedly gunning down a 53-year-old man in front of his father in California.
Eric Lancaster was shot dead by the trio, aged just 12, 13 and 16, outside his home in East Bakersfield on July 18. His father, Vernon “Wes” Lancaster survived with a gunshot wound.
“When my son fell, I reached over as hard as I could to hold his hand and tell him to stay with us, stay with us, and it was too late. It was too late already,” Vernon “Wes” Lancaster told the ABC News.
The victim’s father said he didn’t see the teenager who took a shot at him but he saw the one who shot his son. “And it’s the most ugliest thing that won’t — it won’t go away in my mind,” he added.
The Kern County Sheriff’s Office said that the 16-year-old suspect was arrested shortly after the shooting in the surrounding neighborhood and detained in different case before being charged for killing Lancaster.
“One victim succumbed to his injuries at the scene and the other was transported to the hospital for treatment.
“Homicide detectives responded to the scene to assume the investigation,” the Kern County Sheriff’s Office said in a social media statement.
Authorities involved in the case revealed that the other two teenagers –– aged 12 and 13 –– were arrested on July 29 and August 2 after an intensive investigation.
All three juvenile suspects face heavy-duty charges, including murder, attempted murder, conspiracy, and criminal street gang enhancement.
