Bakersfield Police Arrest Man in Fatal Valley Plaza Target Stabbing

Police identify the victim as Aden Alejandro Aguilar

The Kern County Coroner's Office identified Aguilar as the 20-year-old Bakersfield resident who died after the stabbing, according to BakersfieldNow and 23ABC. Officers found him with major injuries after responding to 2901 Ming Avenue at approximately 8:20 p.m.

Officers rendered aid until emergency medical personnel arrived. Aguilar was transported to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Police are investigating the death as a homicide.

A fundraising account says Aguilar was trying to stop a fight. BakersfieldNow attributed that account to the fundraiser; police have not publicly established that claim as an investigative finding, so it should not be treated as confirmed fact.

Brett Oleary arrested on a first-degree murder allegation

Police initially described a possible suspect as detained without incident. Homicide detectives later arrested Oleary, 33, on September 12 for alleged first-degree murder, according to BakersfieldNow and 23ABC's accounts of the department's update.

23ABC reported that jail records listed an arraignment for Tuesday. This update does not claim that prosecutors filed a particular count, that Oleary entered a plea or that a judge made a probable-cause finding, because a verified public court outcome was not located.

Oleary is presumed innocent unless and until prosecutors prove a charge beyond a reasonable doubt. Police use of the phrase first-degree murder describes the arrest allegation; it is not a verdict.

Police say the confrontation moved from the parking lot into Target

Investigators said Aguilar and Oleary were involved in an altercation in the parking lot that continued into the Target store. Police have not publicly explained what started the confrontation, whether the two men knew each other or the precise sequence of actions inside and outside the store.

Officers recovered a knife nearby that investigators believe was used. The reviewed public accounts do not disclose forensic testing, surveillance footage, witness testimony or other evidence that prosecutors may present in court.

The Bakersfield Police Department thanked Target staff, the store's Asset Protection team and Valley Plaza Mall security for assisting the investigation. Target told 23ABC that its team acted quickly to provide help and contact law enforcement.

What is confirmed—and what remains unknown

Confirmed through police information reported by BakersfieldNow and 23ABC: Aguilar died after the September 11 stabbing; detectives arrested Oleary the following day on an allegation of first-degree murder; and investigators recovered a nearby knife they believe was used.

Not established in the reviewed public information: a motive, the men's prior relationship, who initiated the confrontation, the complete evidence supporting the arrest, a verified plea or arraignment result, or any judicial determination of guilt.

Investigators continue asking witnesses and people with information or video to contact Detective A. Orozco at 661-852-7007 or the Bakersfield Police Department at 661-327-7111. People facing immediate danger should call 911.

What’s the Scoop With Broach will update this report when prosecutors or the court disclose the filed charge, plea, bail decision or other material case development.

About the image

The featured image is an authentic September 2021 exterior photograph of Valley Plaza Mall by Wikimedia Commons contributor LittleT889. The photographer released it under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 license.

The historical file photograph provides location context only. It does not depict the Target store, Friday night's stabbing, the victim, the possible suspect, police activity or evidence, and its use does not imply endorsement by the photographer, Wikimedia Commons, Valley Plaza, Target or investigators.