Homicide Investigation - 3 Arrested 

August 2, 2024 – Kern County Sheriff’s Office officials report that on July 18, 2024, the Sheriff’s Office responded to the victim of a shooting in the 1500-block of Mt. Vernon Avenue. Deputies learned the victim, Robert Overdevest, had been transported by a private vehicle to a local hospital. Deputies responded to the hospital and were told Overdevest had major injuries. Metro patrol deputies and deputies with KCSO’s Gang Unit began investigating the shooting. On July 21, 2024, Overdevest passed away from his injuries and detectives with KCSO’s homicide unit began investigating the case with the Gang Unit.

Detectives discovered Overdevest had been in an argument with three other people, when one of the suspects shot Overdevest one time. The suspects then fled in a vehicle. Over the course of the investigation, detectives identified the suspects as Ashley Ruiz (38 years old), Rhys Casterline (22 years old) and Gabriel Valle (24 years old). The Gang Unit located Ruiz on July 26, 2024, and arrested her. The Gang Unit located Casterline on July 31, 2024, and arrested him, and then located Valle on August 1, 2024, and placed him under arrest. Ruiz was arrested for murder and possession of a firearm by a felon. Casterline was arrested for murder and conspiracy. Valle was arrested for murder, conspiracy, and multiple firearms charges. All of the suspects were booked into the Lerdo Jail Facility.

Source: Kern County Sheriff’s Office