A man accused in the 2023 fatal shooting of local gay rights activist Daniel Landeros, 43, pleaded no contest to voluntary manslaughter on Wednesday.
Fredi Rivera, 29, had a first-degree murder charge dropped and is scheduled for sentencing on March 17.
Landeros was celebrating his birthday on Sept. 18, 2023, at Yokuts Park when Rivera allegedly approached him, reportedly shouting homophobic slurs. Landeros responded, and Rivera allegedly shot and killed him.
In July 2025, Landeros’ sister, Lisa Cruz, said she believed the killing was intentional and premeditated. “That was my family. You know, I’m supposed to protect him, but he was taken from me,” she said.
Bakersfield police continue to investigate the case.
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