Cathy Perfect
Kern Valley Sun

Dennis Lee Grider, 57, of Twin Oaks, was shot to death Friday, Aug. 22, outside his home in Twin Oaks, near Oak Field Way and John Freemont Road. This was the second fatal shooting in as many months in the isolated mountains south of Lake Isabella.

According to the Kern County Coroner’s Office, at approximately 9:30 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 22, Kern County Sheriff’s deputies from the Kern Valley Substation responded to a report of a subject who had just shot another subject in a remote area near Twin Oaks. According to KCSO Detective Craig Rennie, during the course of the investigation, detectives interviewed Francisco Sumonte, 66, and his son, Domenico Sumonte, 41. The two are ranchers in the area and had allowed Grider to live on a portion of their ranch. Grider had been living there for the past several months, Rennie said. During the course of the week that preceded the shooting, investigations said there had been several disputes between Domenico Sumonte and Grider over “civil matters.” On the day of the shooting, there was a confrontation between all three subjects, who were all armed. It is alleged that during this confrontation, Grider pointed his gun at Domenico. Grider was subsequently shot by Francisco. Domenico then called the Sheriff’s Office. No one else was at the residence. There were no other injuries. The investigation is being sent to the District Attorney’s Office for review.