The Region - News from Nov. 12, 1985

A robbery suspect was shot fatally by a Bakersfield police officer. It was the second shooting this month by a member of the police force, which has been accused by some in the community of having too many police-related shootings. The robbery suspect, Henry Lee Davis, 25, of Bakersfield, died in Kern Medical Center, the coroner’s office said. According to a police statement, Officer M. Charmely saw a car mathcing the description of one wanted by Kern County sheriff’s deputies in a convenience store robbery. Charmley stopped the car and, with backup help, handcuffed the driver, Rodney F. McDowell, 26, of Bakersfield. During a patdown search, the passenger, Davis ran away, and officers chased him. Davis stopped, turned toward the officers and was shot. The police statement gave no indication that Davis was armed. Davis’ shooting reportedly was the 18th by a Bakersfield police officer since 1979 and the eighth resulting in death.