Critical Incident Review from 3-26-25 

March 29, 2025 – Kern County Sheriff’s Office officials report on March 4, 2025, at about 2:30 p.m., Kern County Sheriff’s Office deputies were dispatched to a sexual assault investigation regarding a minor. Upon further investigation, deputies determined the need for an Emergency Protective Order (EPO). After the EPO was granted, deputies learned the suspect, Homero Rosales Corona, age 42, was at Virginia Park on Virginia Avenue.

Deputies arrived at Virginia Park to serve the EPO to Rosales Corona at 6:36 p.m. Rosales Corona alerted the deputies to his location by flagging them down. As deputies walked toward Rosales Corona to make contact, he picked up a shotgun. Deputies retreated and ordered the suspect to drop the shotgun in both English and Spanish. The suspect refused and raised the shotgun at deputies. An officer involved shooting occurred.

Deputies rendered medical aid to Rosales Corona until medical personnel responded. Homero Rosales Corona was pronounced deceased on the scene. Homicide Detectives responded to the scene to assume the investigation. Senior Deputy Ralph Lomas and Sergeant Jose Perez were placed on critical incident leave pending the completion of the investigation.

On March 26, 2025, the Kern County Sheriff's Office conducted a critical incident review board examining the use of force in this incident. The use of force in this incident was determined to be within policy.

View video here.

Anyone with additional information regarding this case is asked to contact the Kern County Sheriff’s Office at (661) 861-3110 or Kern Secret Witness at (661) 322-4040.

Source & photo: Kern County Sheriff’s Office