Court records reveal that Justin Flores-Hernandez and Jaden Ambriz spent weeks planning to rob Evan Zion Aleman after seeing Instagram posts of him displaying $15,000 in cash, driving a Mercedes, and wearing jewelry.
Investigators say the two shared screenshots from Aleman’s account and messaged each other about the robbery plan. In the early hours of Oct. 5, they waited outside a house party Aleman attended, then followed him home to Meadow Vista Court in northeast Bakersfield.
According to police, as soon as Aleman stepped out of his vehicle, the pair pulled up. Flores-Hernandez got out, attempted to rob him, and shot him once in the back when Aleman said he had nothing on him. Aleman, 18, died at the scene. His mother witnessed the shooting as she waited for him to return home.
Flores-Hernandez, 24, and Ambriz, 20, were arrested later that day and charged with murder, robbery, and other offenses. Their court hearing set for Friday was postponed to early February. No preliminary hearing has been held.
Police say Flores-Hernandez is affiliated with the East Side Bakers gang, while Aleman belonged to the rival Colonia Bakers. Surveillance footage helped investigators identify a suspect vehicle, and both men were later found inside a matching car, smoking marijuana.
Flores-Hernandez initially denied involvement but changed his story when officers found a 9mm handgun and matching ammunition at his home. He claimed Aleman had previously stolen a ring from him, and the gun discharged accidentally when Aleman grabbed his arm. He denied any gang-related motive.
However, detectives discovered video on his cellphone showing him driving past the scene afterward and flashing a hand sign forming the letters “CK,” which investigators say stands for “Colonia Killer.”
Police wrote in their report that Flores-Hernandez and Ambriz “conspired to rob and murder a rival Colonia Baker gang member, continuing the ongoing violence between the two gangs.”
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