Headline: Barstow Police Shooting Leaves 23-Year-Old Woman Critically Injured, Sparks Outcry Over Use of Force in Walmart Parking Lot Incident

On Saturday, May 10, 2025, the Barstow Police Department responded to a shooting incident that left a 23-year-old woman critically injured. The incident occurred in the parking lot of a local Walmart, where officers were called to investigate a report of a suspicious vehicle. Upon arrival, officers encountered a black Mustang occupied by Diante Yarber, 26, and three passengers. According to police reports, Yarber reversed the vehicle into a patrol car and then accelerated toward officers, prompting them to open fire. Yarber was pronounced dead at the scene, and the 23-year-old female passenger was airlifted to a trauma center with multiple gunshot wounds .    

Family members and attorneys have questioned the police account, citing cellphone footage that appears to show the Mustang moving slowly backward as officers fired. Attorney Lee Merritt, representing Yarber’s family, stated, “The car was barely rolling backward. You can walk faster than that.” The female passenger’s attorney, Dale Galipo, described her injuries as “life-altering” and asserted that the shooting was unjustified .

The Barstow Police Department has initiated an internal investigation into the incident and is cooperating with external agencies to determine the circumstances surrounding the shooting. The department has not released the names of the officers involved or confirmed whether they knew Yarber’s identity at the time of the encounter. Yarber had prior convictions for escaping police and misdemeanor domestic violence and was on probation at the time .

This incident has sparked renewed discussions about police use of force and accountability, particularly in communities of color. Community leaders and civil rights advocates are calling for a thorough and transparent investigation to ensure justice is served. The Barstow Police Department has pledged to keep the public informed as the investigation progresses.

• Anyone with information about the incident is urged to contact the Barstow Police Department or submit tips anonymously through the We-Tip hotline at 1-800-78-CRIME (27463)l.