Family of man shot by deputy in Oildale in 2024 files lawsuit against county, KCSO
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — The family of the man who was shot and killed by a Kern County deputy last March filed a lawsuit against the county and the Kern County Sheriff's Office.
The lawsuit claims Cole Jackson Hughes, the man who was shot, returned home in the 200 block of East Beardsley Avenue with his wife, Lynn Hughes, March 10 after having lunch. Lynn Hughes then called 911.
The lawsuit says Lynn Hughes walked over to her granddaughter's home in the 100 block of Hopkins Avenue, where she called 911 again to tell them a pellet gun near her husband was not loaded.
RELATED: Family speaks out after man is killed during officer-involved shooting in Oildale
After KCSO deputies arrived to confront Cole Hughes, who was sitting in his front yard, Lynn Hughes allegedly yelled out the apartment window to say her husband was holding a pellet gun that was not loaded.
According to the lawsuit, deputies handcuffed Lynn Hughes and another person who was in the front yard and placed them in their patrol vehicles.
Deputies then went into a home directly across from Hughes' home and shot at Cole Hughes, the lawsuit said.
The Critical Incident Review video provided by KCSO last year showed Lynn Hughes calling 911 the second time to tell dispatchers her husband had a weapon, but didn't show her mention the weapon being a pellet gun or being unloaded.
RELATED: Man shot, killed by deputies in Oildale had pellet rifle, wife said he had a gun
'What kind of weapon does he have?' asked the dispatcher.
'He has a gun and he has an ax,' said Hughes.
According to KCSO, deputies were responding to reports of domestic violence March 10, 2024. Deputies repeatedly told Cole Hughes to put the rifle down — which was actually a pellet hunting rifle — for about 20 minutes.
Deputy Nicholas Rocha was the only deputy who fired in the shooting, according to officials.
Cole Hughes, 53, was shot multiple times and was taken to Kern Medical. He was pronounced dead March 11, 2024.
Never miss a story: Make KGET.com your homepage
KCSO's Critical Incident Review Board examined the use of force April 4, 2024 and determined it was within department policy.
The lawsuit also accused KCSO of keeping Lynn Hughes in custody for about two hours without access to water or a restroom despite Hughes repeatedly asking to use the restroom, causing her to urinate on herself.
17 News has reached out to Kern County for comments.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Man, 81, arrested after making inappropriate comments to children: Tehachapi PD
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — A man was arrested after allegedly making inappropriate comments to three people at a McDonald's in Tehachapi. Officers were notified of an incident that happened at a McDonald's on May 27. Police said a man was filmed approaching three people and making inappropriate sexual comments to them. The man was identified as Jerry Earl Matay, 81, of Tehachapi. Officers found and arrested Matay on June 1. Inside California Politics: May 31, 2025 A search of Matay's residence was conducted, according to the police department. He was arrested on suspicion of three felony counts of annoying or molesting a child. The case is under investigation. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Bakersfield PD investigates major injury rollover crash on Westside Parkway
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — The Bakersfield Police Department is investigating a single-vehicle rollover crash on the Westside Parkway on Sunday. Officers were dispatched to the westbound Westside Parkway onramp from Truxtun Avenue around 3:17 p.m. for a single-vehicle crash. A man inside the vehicle was suffering from major injuries, according to the police department. Another Romanian convicted for EBT theft in Kern County Investigation showed the vehicle was traveling at a high speed on the onramp and the driver lost control of the vehicle, struck a guard rail and overturned. The driver was transported to a hospital, according to police. Drug and alcohol intoxication is pending the toxicology results. Anyone with information on the crash is asked to contact the police department at 661-327-7111. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
Head-on crash involving semi-truck forces closure of road east of Lamont
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — Tejon Highway is closed in both directions after a head-on crash involving a semi-truck and a sedan, according to the California Highway Patrol. The crash was reported at around 8:19 a.m. Monday on Tejon Highway just north of Mountain View Road, according to CHP's Traffic Incident Information Page. Two vehicles collided head-on. One person was reported pinned inside a gray sedan. Northbound and southbound traffic is closed, CHP said. A hazmat team has been called to the scene for a diesel fuel spill from the crash. CHP says about 100 gallons of fuel spilled onto the righthand shoulder. Check back for updates. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
