Two Bakersfield Men Shot Dead Outside Porterville Workplace; Killers Still Sought

Two Bakersfield-area men were shot and killed outside a Porterville workplace before sunrise on Friday, October 2, 2026.

The victims, both 30 years old, were waiting outside a manufacturing facility near South Main Street and Date Avenue when the deadly shooting occurred.

Days later, investigators were also examining a burned vehicle discovered about half a mile from the crime scene.

Now, two families are grieving, and the search for answers continues.

Two Men Killed in Early-Morning Porterville Shooting

The shooting happened shortly before 5 a.m. in the 460 block of South Main Street in Porterville, California.

Officers with the Porterville Police Department responded to reports of gunfire near the Entrussed manufacturing facility.

When officers arrived, they found two men suffering from gunshot wounds.

Emergency responders attempted lifesaving measures. However, both victims died at the scene.

Authorities launched a double homicide investigation and secured the surrounding area.

Police also closed part of South Main Street between Date Avenue and the Tule River Bridge while investigators examined the scene.

Who Were the Two Victims?

Family members identified the victims as Moises Abraham Vasquez and Matthew Gan-Dara, both 30 years old and from the Bakersfield area.

ABC30 reported their identities on October 4, two days after the shooting.

The men were outside the building-supply manufacturing facility when gunfire erupted.

Although the investigation remains active, police have not publicly explained the circumstances that led to the shooting.

For the victims’ families, the sudden loss has raised painful questions about what happened that morning.

Matthew Gan-Dara’s Family Speaks Out

Matthew’s brother, Ricky Robles, spoke with ABC30 about the devastating loss.

According to Robles, Matthew had recently turned 30 and regularly traveled from the Bakersfield area to find work.

He described his brother as someone who worked hard to support himself and cover everyday expenses.

Matthew had been working in lumber manufacturing, according to his family.

Robles also expressed his belief that the shooting may have been planned.

However, investigators have not publicly confirmed that the victims were deliberately targeted.

The family’s statements reflect their concerns and understanding of the incident. They do not establish an official motive.

Burned Vehicle Found Near Shooting Scene

One of the most significant developments came when Porterville police discovered the charred remains of a vehicle approximately half a mile south of the shooting location.

Investigators believe the burned vehicle may be connected to the double homicide.

Porterville Police Chief Bobby Rader told ABC30 that investigators were treating the vehicle as potentially related to the case.

However, authorities have not publicly confirmed who owned the vehicle, who was using it, or how it may have been involved.

Police have also not established publicly whether it served as a getaway vehicle.

Detectives continue examining the evidence surrounding the killings.

Police Chief Addresses Concerns in Porterville

The shooting has also affected the surrounding community.

During an interview with ABC30, Chief Rader acknowledged that violent incidents can create fear and uncertainty in smaller communities.

The department requested assistance from the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office Crime Lab during its investigation.

Investigators began processing the scene and collecting evidence as they worked to determine what happened.

Police initially said they had secured the immediate area and reported no continuing threat to the surrounding location.

Still, investigators have not publicly released a detailed account of the shooting.

Have Police Arrested Anyone?

As of October 8, 2026, the latest publicly available reporting reviewed by Central Valley Entertainment has not identified an arrest or criminal charges in connection with the Porterville double homicide.

Police have not publicly identified a suspect in the reports reviewed.

Investigators have also not announced a confirmed motive.

Although Matthew’s family believes the victims may have been targeted, that possibility has not been established as an official finding.

The burned vehicle remains another important unanswered part of the investigation.

Until authorities release additional findings, several questions remain unresolved.

Police Ask Anyone With Information to Come Forward

The Porterville Police Department is investigating the deaths of Moises Abraham Vasquez and Matthew Gan-Dara.

Anyone with information about the October 2 shooting can contact the Porterville Police Department at (559) 782-7400.

Even information that appears minor could help investigators piece together the events surrounding the shooting.

For now, two Bakersfield families are mourning the loss of their loved ones while awaiting answers.

Central Valley Entertainment will continue following the investigation and report significant new developments as they become verified.

For more stories involving shootings, arrests, investigations, and court cases, visit our Central Valley crime news coverage.