The reports describe the murders as allegedly committed by 18- and 13-year-olds

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — They got into a fight with a guy they met in southeast Bakersfield. He surprised them with how well he defended himself, using a tree branch to hold them back.

18-year-old Lance Burnett is fed up. He told 13-year-old Dylan Fermin Flores to watch the man while he walked home, according to newly released police reports. Flores, armed with a knife, agreed.

Soon after, Burnett returned with a gun.

The man tried to run, but they chased him and Burnett shot him several times, killing him, Flores told police.

Both he and Burnett are charged with homicide in the shooting that happened last month in a large field southwest of South Washington Street and East Bell Terrace.

As of Friday, the name of the deceased has not been released.

Flores’ case is being heard in juvenile court — because he’s under 16, he can’t be tried in adult court. If convicted, Burnett faces up to life in prison. If convicted, Flores could be held in a juvenile facility until he turns 25.

Police are familiar with Burnett — they questioned him in March in connection with a sexual assault investigation, reports said. He was on juvenile probation for battery, conspiracy, brandishing a weapon, criminal threats and vandalism.

Execution

Police were called on Oct. 27 by a couple who told officers they heard bullets whizzing by their home and, after seeing people leave the field, went to investigate and found the body.

Four spent casings were recovered.

Police canvassed the area to obtain surveillance footage. They found a video of the incident. It depicted three teenagers on motorcycles and the victim.

On October 30, police stopped Flores and another juvenile who matched the description of the two suspects. They were riding mini-bikes and wearing masks that matched the ones in the video.

One teenager, who has not been charged, told police he was riding with Flores and a boy on a red bicycle he did not know on the day of the shooting.

They stopped near the victim, he said, and he stayed behind the other two as they tried to fight the man, according to reports.

According to him, Burnett left for a while. When he returned, Burnett drove up close to the victim and shots were fired, the teenager told police.

According to reports, the teenager refused to admit that Burnett was the shooter, only telling police that neither he nor Flores fired the shots.

Flores gave a similar account of events — and reportedly admitted to inciting the fight. He recognized Burnett in the photographs as the shooter.

Flores also shared with police a video he shot on his cell phone. According to reports, it shows the victim lying face down in a field with Flores holding a knife and yelling that he had just been killed.

Police said Flores’ statement was consistent with surveillance video they found.

Flores’ next hearing is scheduled for early December, and Burnett is due back in court in January. Both remain in custody.

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