The shootings began just after 5 p.m. PT when the man and his wife went to a trucking business east of Bakersfield, Youngblood said.
At the business, the husband confronted a man and fatally shot him -- and then "turned and shot his wife," who later died, the sheriff said.
Another male arrived, and after a short foot chase, the gunman shot and killed that person outside the nearby Bear Mountain Sports, a hunting equipment shop, Youngblood said.
The gunman then went to a nearby residence, where he shot and killed two more males, according to the sheriff.
He then hijacked a vehicle with a woman and child inside, but they were able to escape. The gunman headed to a nearby highway, where he saw a deputy and pulled over into a lot.
As the deputy drew a weapon and confronted him, "the suspect put the gun to his (own) chest and killed himself," Youngblood said.
Authorities didn't immediately release the names of the gunman or the five people he's said to have killed.
Youngblood said investigators didn't know of the gunman's motive, and they didn't know whether any of those involved worked at the trucking company. The shooter had at least one handgun, the sheriff said.
Investigators intend to question about 30 witnesses in the case.
