Vernon 'Wes' Lancaster says he watched his 53-year-old son, Eric Lancaster, get gunned down at the mailbox of their home in Bakersfield, California, by three boys who are ages 12, 13 and 16.
"I didn't see my shooter shoot me, but I seen my shooter shoot my son. And it's the most ugliest thing that … won't go away in my mind," Lancaster said in an interview with KERO, the local ABC affiliate.
Background
According to police, Eric Lancaster was confronted and shot near the mailbox of a home in Bakersfield. Kern County Sheriff's Office investigators say they arrested the three suspects on July 29 and August 2.
"When my son fell, I reached over as hard as I could to hold his hand and tell him to stay with us, stay with us — and it was too late," Wes Lancaster told KERO. "It was too late already."
The father, who was also shot during the incident, said he did not know the boys before the shooting.
"He was a living human being that really didn't see the bad in all people, but he's seen the bad in Bakersfield," Lancaster said of his son. "He says, 'Dad, I'm glad I didn't grow up here.' But in the long run, it got him anyway when he came back."
The Investigation
All three minors have been charged with murder, attempted murder, conspiracy and participation in a criminal street gang, according to police.
The 12-year-old faces additional charges of assault with a semiautomatic firearm and possession of a handgun by a minor.
Prosecutors are reviewing whether to try the 16-year-old as an adult. Kern County law enforcement officials indicated they are awaiting prosecutors to file a motion in court to transfer the case to adult criminal proceedings.
"He deserves justice," Wes Lancaster said of his son.
Key Takeaways
- Eric Lancaster, 53, was shot and killed near the mailbox of his family's home in Bakersfield on July 29
- Three minors ages 12, 13 and 16 have been charged with murder, attempted murder, conspiracy and gang participation
- The father, Vernon 'Wes' Lancaster, witnessed the shooting and was also wounded during the incident
- Investigators have not released a motive or explained what led to the confrontation at the mailbox
- Prosecutors are weighing whether to try the 16-year-old suspect as an adult
What's Next
Kern County prosecutors are expected to decide whether to pursue adult prosecution for the 16-year-old suspect. The case remains under investigation, and authorities have not disclosed additional details about what prompted the shooting or the relationship between the suspects and victim.