Seventeen-year-old Kawanza Hilt of Rosamond, California, was found with multiple gunshot wounds on December 12, 2017, on the 3400 block of 15th Street West. He was transported to Antelope Valley Hospital and pronounced dead shortly after arrival. Investigators reported he had been chased by a vehicle before being shot at a trailer park in Rosamond.

The Kern County Sheriff’s Office later charged three men — Matthew Morrissette, Anthony Bonczek, and Arthur Hernandez — with murder and participation in a criminal street gang. Morrissette was already in custody on unrelated charges when he was charged in Hilt’s killing. A fourth individual, Seth Marin, was also arrested and faced charges related to the case; court records show Marin entered a plea to voluntary manslaughter and received a 22-year sentence, with first-degree murder charges against him dismissed as part of the plea agreement. Hearings for the remaining defendants are ongoing.

Anyone who knew Kawanza, who was at the scene that night, or who has information about the chase and shooting is asked to come forward.