Shortly after 2:30 a.m. on January 2, 2026, deputies responded to the 100 block of East Warren Avenue in Oildale, California, and found 40-year-old John Tony Duval Jr. suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Kern County Sheriff’s Office identified and arrested 33-year-old Jonathan Fraze in the days after the shooting. Fraze was charged with first-degree murder and stalking and entered a plea of not guilty at his initial court appearance. Authorities have not publicly disclosed a motive.

The community continues to await further court proceedings as the case moves through the judicial system. If anyone saw activity on East Warren Avenue the morning of January 2 or has information about Duval or the charged suspect, please share what is known with the Kern County Sheriff’s Office.