Bakersfield's Bloody Trail: Gang Retaliation Claims Another Victim
Paul Riverbank, 1/10/2025A tragic gang shooting in Bakersfield highlights the urgency to address deep-rooted violence, with suspect Milo Lomar Sullivan Jr. facing severe charges and the community grappling with the human toll.
A shocking act of gang violence has once again rocked the streets of Bakersfield, casting a dark shadow over the community's efforts to curb the senseless bloodshed. The Chandler Court shooting of 2018, a chilling reminder of the deep-rooted tensions between rival gangs, has seen its third suspect, Milo Lomar Sullivan Jr., face the full force of the law.
Sullivan, 25, now stands accused of a litany of charges, including first-degree murder, attempted murder, shooting at inhabited dwellings, and possession of firearms as a felon — a grim testament to the escalating violence that has plagued our city. His alleged involvement in this heinous act, alongside codefendants Christopher Nathaniel Kenney and Tyrell Cheadle, paints a disturbing picture of gang retaliation and the utter disregard for human life.
As the details unfold, we learn that the shooting on Chandler Court was a calculated attack by members of the East Side Crips gang, targeting a group of West Side Crips — a tragic consequence of the ongoing turf wars that have claimed far too many lives. "Sullivan, Cheadle and Kenney are accused of being members of the criminal street gang East Side Crips who planned and carried out the shooting of a group of West Side Crips gang members in the 2600 block of Chandler Court on Sept. 23, 2018, according to court records," the prosecutor's statement reads, a chilling reminder of the depths to which these rivalries have sunk.
The aftermath of this senseless violence is a stark reality — four innocent lives forever altered, and one precious soul, Jeremy Charles Littlejohn, just 20 years old, tragically lost. His name now etched into the annals of Bakersfield's darkest chapters, a sobering reminder of the human cost of these conflicts.
As Sullivan made his first appearance in court, the gravity of the situation was palpable. Kern County Superior Court Judge Sally Ackerknecht, citing the severity of the charges and Sullivan's extensive criminal history, denied bail — a decision that underscores the urgency to stem the tide of violence that has gripped our streets.
Yet, amidst the despair, a glimmer of hope emerges — the unwavering pursuit of justice. "Sullivan was convicted in four felony cases in the past, ranging from 2017 to 2023," the court records reveal, a testament to the relentless efforts of law enforcement to hold these individuals accountable for their actions.
As we grapple with the aftermath of this tragedy, we must confront the harsh realities that have allowed such violence to fester. The cycle of retaliation, fueled by deep-rooted animosities and a lack of opportunity, has claimed too many lives and shattered too many dreams. It is a call to action, a clarion call for our community to come together, to invest in our youth, to provide alternatives to the lure of gang life, and to foster an environment where every child can thrive, free from the specter of violence.
The road ahead is long and arduous, but our resolve must remain steadfast. We owe it to the victims, to their families, and to the generations yet to come, to break this cycle of violence and create a Bakersfield where every life is cherished, every dream is within reach, and the echoes of gunfire are replaced by the laughter of children playing in safe streets.
Only then can we truly honor the memory of those lost, and forge a brighter future for our beloved city.
