Javier Vidal, 37

Lamont, California
April 13, 2020

Agencies: Kern County Sheriff's Office California

Cause of death: Shooting

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Last updated: almost 4 years ago

Overview

Javier Vidal, 36, a California father, accused of murdering his pregnant partner and kidnapping their 2-year-old son, was killed after exchanging gunfire with authorities early Monday morning.

Vidal was pronounced dead following a shootout with sheriff's deputies in the early morning hours of April 13. The standoff lasted about four hours, according to the Kern County Sheriff’s Office. 

Hours earlier, law enforcement responded to a residential address in Lamont, California after reports of a shooting. Audreyanna Diana Rivera, 34, was found suffering from a gunshot wound at the address and was transported to hospital where she was later pronounced dead. She was seven months pregnant, law enforcement said. The child managed to survive and is hospitalized. 

However, in the aftermath of the shooting, the couple’s 2-year-old son, Elias Vidal, was missing. California Highway Patrol issued an Amber Alert for the toddler, who they alleged was abducted by the father. The child was safely located by investigators at an unspecified location shortly after 11 p.m. on Tuesday. It’s unclear what led law enforcement to the child. 

Javier Vidal — who authorities said was armed, dangerous, and driving a gray 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse — was spotted at 11:35 p.m. on a nearby highway. The 36-year allegedly opened fire on Kern County Sheriff’s deputies after he was confronted. Over the course of a lengthy standoff, a SWAT Team intervened, and gunfire was exchanged. Vidal was pronounced dead at around 4 a.m. Authorities were unharmed in the shootout.