Abel Juarez received a sentence of 86 years to life in prison on Tuesday for the fatal shooting of Eduardo Salinas, 51, in Wasco, according to Kern County Superior Court officials.
In November 2025, a jury convicted Juarez of first-degree murder with the use of a firearm. He was also found guilty of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.
The Kern County jury delivered its verdict on Nov. 12, 2025, following a retrial that stemmed from a hung jury in 2021.
The shooting occurred on April 24, 2018, after Juarez confronted Salinas at his home on the 1900 block of 4th Street over a dispute involving a stolen bike. Juarez demanded that Salinas step out of his garage, and minutes later, he shot him in the chest. Authorities later found Salinas dead in his driveway.
After the shooting, Juarez fled the scene and was taken into custody the next day following a standoff with law enforcement. Two witnesses later identified him as the shooter.
At the time of the conviction, Kern County District Attorney Cynthia Zimmer said, “This deliberate act demonstrated a profound disregard for the life of another. It’s been several years fighting for the justice of Eduardo Salinas and today, we’re pleased to announce that it’s been achieved.”
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