Man Convicted of Attempted Murder After Shooting at Witness Vehicle in 2021 Crash

Kern County jury finds Tony Reyes guilty of multiple charges related to a shooting incident following a car crash in Bakersfield.

Jan. 27, 2026 at 9:23pm

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A Kern County jury has convicted 43-year-old Tony Reyes of two counts of attempted murder, assault with a semi-automatic firearm, and shooting at an occupied vehicle. The charges stem from a January 2021 incident where Reyes allegedly fled the scene of a car crash, then later opened fire on a vehicle with a mother and juvenile daughter inside who had witnessed the initial collision.

Why it matters

This case highlights the serious consequences of reckless driving and violence in the Bakersfield community. While the victims miraculously escaped life-threatening injuries, the trauma from the incident will likely have a lasting impact. The conviction sends a strong message that such behavior will not be tolerated.

The details

Prosecutors say that on the evening of January 5, 2021, a mother and her juvenile daughter witnessed a crash at the intersection of Wilson Road and South H Street involving a silver BMW driven by Reyes. Reyes allegedly fled the scene immediately after the crash. When the witnesses tried to continue driving in the area, they saw the same silver BMW parked nearby on Custer Avenue and South H Street. Reyes then reportedly exited the vehicle, ran toward the victims' car, and opened fire with two firearms at close range. At least one round entered the front passenger window, striking the area where the juvenile victim was seated, though neither victim sustained life-threatening injuries.

  • On January 5, 2021, the initial crash occurred at the intersection of Wilson Road and South H Street.
  • Later that same night, witnesses reported a suspicious silver BMW parked on Marshall Street showing signs of being involved in a crash.
  • On January 28, 2026, a Kern County jury convicted Tony Reyes on the charges.
  • Sentencing is scheduled for February 26, 2026.

The players

Tony Reyes

A 43-year-old man convicted of two counts of attempted murder, assault with a semi-automatic firearm, and shooting at an occupied vehicle in relation to a 2021 incident in Bakersfield.

Cynthia Zimmer

The Kern County District Attorney who stated that those who act recklessly and inflict violence on families must be dealt with to the fullest extent of the law.

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What they’re saying

“Those who act recklessly and inflict violence on families within the community must be dealt with to the fullest extent of the law. It is a miracle that neither victim suffered life-threatening injuries, but the trauma of this incident is one they will carry for a lifetime.”

— Cynthia Zimmer, Kern County District Attorney (Bakersfield Now)

What’s next

Sentencing for Tony Reyes is scheduled for February 26, 2026, where he faces up to seven years to life in prison.

The takeaway

This case highlights the serious consequences of reckless driving and violence in the Bakersfield community. While the victims escaped life-threatening injuries, the trauma from the incident will likely have a lasting impact, underscoring the need for accountability and community safety measures to prevent such incidents in the future.