Rolando Anaya Obituary, Death; – An incident in a well-frequented downtown Bakersfield neighborhood resulted in the death of a man early Sunday morning, raising significant concerns regarding safety and violence in the area. According to Bakersfield police, the altercation was reported at approximately 1:30 a.m. near the intersection of 19th Street and K Street.
Investigators from the Bakersfield Police Department indicated that the confrontation began outside The Mint, a popular nightclub, before escalating to the location where the fatality occurred.
A witness present at The Mint on Saturday night recounted the disorderly scene, stating, “It took about eight minutes for the police to arrive, and probably about ten minutes for the ambulance to arrive. It took too long, you know?” The witness observed the victim and noted that a friend attempted to perform CPR.
“The incident involved an ex-girlfriend who became enraged, and two friends accompanying her attacked the man who sadly lost his life,” the witness reported. The deceased has been identified by the Kern County Coroner’s Office as Rolando Anaya, 46, from Bakersfield. An autopsy is scheduled to ascertain the cause and manner of death.
The witness also recounted their own distressing experience, stating, “I witnessed the entire scene from the back of a police car.” They claimed to have been arrested while attempting to assist their friend by offering a water bottle. “Some officers approached me and used excessive force to subdue me. I was merely trying to help,” the witness remarked, expressing their reluctance to return to the city. “Honestly, it was quite traumatic. I don’t really feel like going to town for a while, you know?”
Local business owners in the downtown area are accustomed to navigating hazardous situations, particularly during nighttime hours.
The manager of an antique store shared their approach to security, stating, “It is safer for us to leave as a group,” while highlighting the safety of their establishment during daylight hours. “We simply aim to create a secure environment for individuals to browse and momentarily escape their concerns.”
