Man Who Shot at Golden West Casino Guard Sentenced to Almost 7 Years

Kern County judge sentenced Rafael Lainez Castro to almost 7 years in prison after last month a jury found him guilty of shooting at a Golden West Casino guard, among other charges.

Rafael Lainez Castro Receives Lengthy Prison Sentence

The 39-year-old man who threatened and shot at a security guard at Golden West Casino has been sentenced to prison, though the guard was not injured in the incident. The convicted man, Rafael Lainez Castro, received a sentence of six years and 10 months during a hearing on Tuesday, according to court records. Castro was convicted last month of attempted voluntary manslaughter, assault with a firearm, and other charges.

According to prosecutors, the shooting happened in the early hours of July 15, 2023. Early on the day Castro entered the Golden West Casino in southeast Bakersfield to gamble and consume alcohol. Around 2 a.m., he was asked to leave the premises due to disruptive behavior. However, Castro refused to leave, and security personnel were asked to escort him out of the building. At that time, Castro immediately began physically fighting with security, growing more upset, and repeatedly threatened the life of a security guard, said prosecutors.

Castro then got into his vehicle, drove over a curb, and headed toward the casino entrance. He pulled up, rolled down his window, and fired multiple shots at the same security guard he had threatened, prosecutors said. 

In response to the gunfire and fearing for his safety, the security guard drew his legally possessed firearm and returned fire, striking Castro once. Fortunately, he was unharmed, and he also managed to hit Castro back one time. After that, Castro quickly drove off, but was apprehended later that day.

Here Are More Details About the Case

Following Castro’s arrest, a lengthy legal trial started. On March 17, 2025, a Kern County jury found Rafael Castro guilty of attempted voluntary manslaughter, assault with a firearm, and attempted criminal threats. He was also convicted of possessing a firearm as a prohibited person due to a prior conviction, and of unlawfully carrying a concealed firearm in a vehicle.

Following the pronunciation of Castro as guilty, Kern County District Attorney Cynthia Zimmer stated that the alcohol-fueled incident unfolded in a matter of seconds and left several bystanders shaken. She also said that the motive behind the violent act is being treated with the seriousness it warrants. The District Attorney’s Office remained committed to pursuing justice through to the completion of sentencing.