We have new information about the shooting that left two men dead at Central Cali Market in southeast Bakersfield earlier this week. Family and friends have been out all day trying to raise money and awareness to what they call an unjust killing.
17 News talked to Christine Coca who says she was sitting in her car in the parking lot while the shooting took place. From what she saw, she doesn't think the killing was justified.
"I don't know what went on inside the store, I wasn't in the store, but what I saw outside the store, it was wrong," said Coca.
David Lyons, 24, and 41-year-old Efrem Wandick were shot to death by a clerk who works at the store. According to the witness, David Lyons was in the store and had already competed his purchase when the shooting occurred.
There had been some sort of argument between Lyons and a clerk when another clerk came out with a gun. She says the clerk then shot Lyons. As he stumbled to the door, Coca says a woman began beating Lyons with some sort of bar.
"She was over him and she was just bam, bam, bam," said Coca. "Just hitting him non stop and I was like, 'why is she doing that? He is already hurt.'"
According to Coca, that's when Wandick came to see what the commotion was about. She says he came to help his wounded friend and that's when he was shot.
"He didn't seem like he was running up to start a fight, to threaten anybody. When he ran, his body movement was just like running," said Coca.
According to Coca, when Wandick came face-to-face with the clerk, he put his hands out to his side in a non-threatening manner and says she doesn't understand why he was shot.
Coca has told her side of the story to police. Information from the police has been limited, only releasing a statement to say that the investigation continues.
We have tried multiple times to contact the owners of the store but they do not want to comment.
