On May 5, 2023, at approximately 5:50 a.m., Taft Police Department officers responded to a report of an unresponsive man in a vacant lot near the intersection of 4th and Ash streets in Taft, California. Upon arrival, they discovered 36-year-old Dustin RJ Miller lying face down on the ground. Despite immediate life-saving efforts by law enforcement and medical personnel, Miller was pronounced dead at the scene.
An initial examination revealed that Miller had sustained a suspected gunshot wound and blunt force trauma to the back of his head. Subsequent findings from the Kern County Coroner's Office confirmed that the cause of death was a gunshot wound to the back, officially ruling the manner of death as homicide.
Investigators uncovered text messages on Miller's phone indicating he had planned to steal a vehicle the night before his death. When questioned, his girlfriend stated she was unaware of how he sustained his injuries. Both her phone and Miller's were seized as part of the investigation.
As of now, there have been no reports of arrests or identification of suspects related to Miller's death. The Taft Police Department continues to investigate the case as a homicide and has urged anyone with information to contact them at 661-763-3101.
