The man who held 10 hostages overnight in a California Chase Bank building and threatened to detonate explosives — before he was shot dead by FBI agents — has been identified as a registered sex offender with a violent history.
Authorities in Bakersfield, about 110 miles north of Los Angeles, say 41-year-old Anthony Scott Searles-Harris took 10 people hostage on the second floor of a Chase Bank building around 1 p.m. Tuesday while claiming to have explosives strapped to his body.
The hostages worked for a local school district, which has an office on the second floor. Five of the hostages were tied up, but none of the 10 were injured. Searles-Harris also attached explosives to some of the hostages, officials said.
Searles-Harris had a history of violence and is a registered sex offender. He served in the U.S. Army from 2006 to 2007 but was dishonorably discharged after going AWOL, said Sid Patel, of the FBI’s Sacramento field office.
Patel noted that Searles-Harris was no stranger to law enforcement. In addition to his violent history, in 2014, he was charged with sex acts with a child under 14.
The suspect was shot and killed just after 4 a.m.
Key Points
- Man who held 10 people hostage identified as sex offender with violent history
- Authorities say there were 10 hostages
- Witness to hostage situation says he saw everything 'flash' before him
- SWAT team swarmed building overnight, brought a man out
- Suspect was killed in 'officer-involved shooting' with FBI early Wednesday morning
Anthony Scott Searles-Harris pictured
20:15 , Isabel Keane
Witness to hostage situation describes chaos: 'You sort of see everything flash before you'
18:52 , Isabel Keane
A witness to the horrifying hostage situation said the suspect entered Chase Bank and said: “It’s a bad day to be at the bank.”
Freddy Arredondo was at the bank Tuesday afternoon when Anthony Scott Searles-Harris entered the building with explosive devices strapped to his body and began to cause a scene.
“I was just fearing for my wife, she was outside, my kids, not being able to ever see them again. It was just a lot right there. You sort of feel everything flash before you,” he told KGET.
Arredondo said that as the suspect began a speech, he slowly started to back away.
“I just turned around and started running out and that’s when he started screaming. But when I did that everybody else ran out too so it sort of gave everybody a little more of a chance,” he said.
Searles-Harris took 10 people on the second floor of the building hostage before he was shot and killed by an FBI agent early Wednesday morning.
All of the hostages were released and are uninjured, authorities said.
Man who held 10 people hostage identified as sex offender with violent history
18:18 , Isabel Keane
The man who held 10 people hostage in a California bank building while threatening to detonate explosives has been identified as Anthony Scott Searles-Harris.
Searles-Harris, 41, had a history of violence and is a registered sex offender, according to Sid Patel, who leads the FBI’s Sacramento field office.
He also served in the U.S. Army before he was discharged after going AWOL.
Searles-Harris was shot and killed around 4:20 a.m., 15 hours after the standoff with authorities began.
Ten hostages held during incident
18:12 , Isabel Keane
Ten people were held hostage in the Chase Bank building after a suspect barricaded himself inside and said he had explosives on his body, authorities confirmed during a press conference Wednesday.
“We are incredibly relieved to report that all of the hostages involved have been safely recovered,” Bakersfield Assistant Chief of Police Jeremy Blakemore said.
Five of the hostages were tied up by the suspect, but all 10 were released without harm.
Bakersfield Police to hold press conference
17:59 , Isabel Keane
The Bakersfield Police Department is set to hold a press conference starting at 10 a.m. local time.
Authorities said additional information would be released as it becomes available.
SWAT team swarmed building overnight, brought a man out
17:32 , Isabel Keane
About 50 SWAT members swarmed the building where a suspect was holding people hostage overnight and brought a man outside, according to a report.
Witnesses told NBC LA that they saw SWAT members enter the building around 2:30 a.m. before bringing a man — possibly the suspect — outside.
Video seen by the outlet showed officers escorting a group of about seven people out of the building.
Details about the suspect remain unclear
17:15 , Isabel Keane
Authorities said the suspect who held multiple people hostage in California overnight was killed — but have shared few other details about him.
The suspect reportedly entered a building that houses Chase Bank and a school district office around 1 p.m. Tuesday and claimed to have a bomb.
Bakersfield police then responded to the hostage situation and were able to negotiate the release of two people late Tuesday.
The suspect was reportedly barricaded inside the building with several hostages. Authorities have not said how many people were held hostage.
Authorities have not shared the name of the suspect or a potential motive.
Suspect was killed in 'officer-involved shooting' with FBI
16:45 , Isabel Keane
The suspect holding people hostage in a California building that houses a bank was killed in an “officer-involved shooting,” police said.
The Bakersfield Police Department specified that the suspect was killed in the shooting by FBI personnel, not a local officer.
Road closures remain in effect as police warn of traffic delays
16:10 , Isabel Keane
Several roads in Bakersfield will remain closed off on Wednesday, even as the hostage situation has concluded.
Police warned on social media that traffic closures are in effect between Truxtun Avenue and 18th Street, as well as between H Street and K Street.
“Motorists are encouraged to avoid the area for the next several hours and seek alternative routes. Delays are expected until sometime this afternoon,” police said.
Suspect dead and hostages released
15:53 , Isabel Keane
The suspect holding people hostage inside a Chase Bank building in California has been killed, and all of the hostages have been released, authorities said Wednesday morning.
The hostage situation concluded at approximately 4:20 a.m. with an officer-involved shooting involving FBI personnel, the Bakersfield Police Department said in an update.
All of the hostages were found uninjured. They received medical evaluation and treatment at the scene, police said.
Authorities have not shared how many people were being held hostage or the identity of the suspect involved.
Additional information will be released at a 10 a.m. press conference, authorities said.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: pic.twitter.com/8XSJsJqyeI
— Bakersfield Police Department (@bakersfieldpd) June 3, 2026
Road closures remain in place Wednesday
15:09 , Isabel Keane
Several road closures in Bakersfield remained in place Wednesday morning.
Closures are currently in effect between Truxtun Avenue and 18th Street, and between H Street and K Street, police said.
“Please avoid the area if possible and allow extra travel time this morning,” police said.
Number of family members gathered by the scene Wednesday morning
15:07 , Isabel Keane
Family members were gathered waiting for their loved ones to be released from the hostage situation early Wednesday morning, CBS Mornings reported.
Two hostages had been released overnight, authorities said.
It was not immediately clear where the situation stood early Wednesday morning, and authorities have not said how many people remain trapped inside the building.
A man barricaded himself inside a bank in Bakersfield, California, with what appeared to be a bomb strapped to his body, police said, holding several people hostage. Two hostages were released, police confirmed.
— CBS Mornings (@CBSMornings) June 3, 2026
It’s unclear how many people were taken hostage, as of Wednesday… pic.twitter.com/CBnVi9qbJn
Number of family members gathered by the scene Wednesday morning
15:07 , Isabel Keane
Family members were gathered waiting for their loved ones to be released from the hostage situation early Wednesday morning, CBS Mornings reported.
Two hostages had been released overnight, authorities said.
It was not immediately clear where the situation stood early Wednesday morning, and authorities have not said how many people remain trapped inside the building.
A man barricaded himself inside a bank in Bakersfield, California, with what appeared to be a bomb strapped to his body, police said, holding several people hostage. Two hostages were released, police confirmed.
— CBS Mornings (@CBSMornings) June 3, 2026
It’s unclear how many people were taken hostage, as of Wednesday… pic.twitter.com/CBnVi9qbJn
Suspect reportedly said 'it's a bad day to be at the bank'
14:49 , Isabel Keane
A witness at the California Chase bank, where several people are being held hostage, apparently heard the suspect say, “It’s a bad day to be at the bank” when he entered the building.
Officials have not shared how many people are still being held inside the building. Hostage negotiators were able to secure the safe release of two people overnight.
Police and members of the Crisis Negotiation Team remain in contact with the suspect via telephone.
No arrests have been made, and police said there have been no demands made by the suspect, KGET reported.
Police urge public to avoid downtown area
14:15 , Isabel Keane
“Please stay out of the area. All of the buildings in the surrounding area have been evacuated. There’s a very active scene,” Bakersfield Police Sgt. Eric Celedon says in an Instagram story Tuesday night.
In a follow-up post, Celedon noted that police have “every single resource” available to handle the situation.
Candidate cancels election night event
13:49 , Alex Croft
California's Democratic candidate Dr. Jasmeet Bains last night cancelled an election night event because of the ongoing hostage situation in downtown Bakersfield.
Bains announced the decision as authorities continued to respond to the incident, which remains active.
“I am in active communication with local law enforcement. Members of the public should continue to avoid downtown Bakersfield at this time,” she said.
“My thoughts are with all of the families impacted by this concerning situation.”
California is holding its 2026 primary election, which took place on Tuesday.
Latest images from the scene
13:10 , Alex Croft
We can now bring you some more images from the scene in Bakersfield, California.
Mapped: Site of the hostage situation in California
12:32 , Alex Croft
Recap: What is happening in Bakersfield?
12:06 , Alex Croft
As we’ve been reporting, the FBI and other authorities are continuing to deal with an active hostage situation in bank in Bakersfield, souther California.
There have been few updates in the last few hours, with two people having so far been released after police said “several community members” were trapped inside the building.
The man who is holding the hostages has barricaded himself inside and threatened to detonate a bomb - although it is unclear what his demands are.
“We have every single resource at our disposal out here to bring this to the safest resolution possible,” city police Sgt. Eric Celedon said, adding that the remaining hostages are in “good health”.
The police department’s crisis negotiation team remains in contact with the suspect by telephone.
CNN reported that around a dozen police cars are on the scene, along with a tactical vehicle and FBI agents
Stay with us as we bring all the latest updates throughout the day.
JPMorgan Chase says branch has been evacuated - ICYMI
11:32 , Alex Croft
A spokesperson for JPMorgan Chase said the bank's branch, located on the ground floor of the building at the centre of the ongoing incident, is currently empty.
The spokesperson said the company is working closely with law enforcement authorities as they respond to the situation.
The building also houses a school district office.
Bakersfield bomb threat: Hostages are in 'good health', police say
10:45 , Alex Croft
In pictures: The scene in Bakersfield as authorities deal with hostage situation
10:16 , Alex Croft
Avoid the areas as it is an active scene, says Bakersfield PD
09:45 , Alex Croft
Bakersfield Police Department said earlier this morning that it remains “on scene” at the Chase Bank building.
“There are currently no injuries reported,” it said in an update at 4am GMT (9pm PDT).
“Avoid the area as this remains an active scene. We will continue to provide updates as information becomes available.”
‘Avoid the area to allow safe hostage negotiations’: Mayor’s statement in full
09:16 , Alex Croft
Earlier, we heard from the Mayor of Bakersfield, Karen Goh.
We can now bring you her full statement - here it is:
We continue to closely monitor the situation unfolding in our city and remain concerned for the safety and well-being of everyone involved.
I am grateful for the swift response and ongoing dedication of the brave men and women of the Bakersfield Police Department, who continue to serve and protect our community. I appreciate the collaboration and coordinated efforts of our law enforcement partners and other responding agencies.
Thank you to the many who have reached out in concern. The best way the public can help at this time is by avoiding the area and allowing law enforcement officers, negotiators, and other trained professionals the space and opportunity to safely carry out their duties.
The Bakersfield Police Department will continue to provide updates as appropriate. We ask the community to keep those affected in their prayers.
'Biggest police presence I've ever seen in this town'
08:33 , Alex Croft
Jacob Davison is a livestreamer known as Dad’s Gone Live who was nearby when the hostage situation began to unfold.
He was one block away from the bank - in his family’s tattoo shop - when he began getting calls alerting him to the bomb threat.
“I went into the bank’s parking garage and watched the cops enter the back of the bank. This is the biggest police presence I’ve ever seen in this town,” Davison said.
“Now I’m watching them set up the trauma tents with the green, red and yellow tags, and black tags too, along with a command center about a block away.”
Recap: What is happening in Bakersfield?
08:30 , Alex Croft
As we’ve been reporting, the FBI and other authorities are continuing to deal with an active hostage situation in bank in Bakersfield, souther California.
Two people have been released so far, after police said “several community members” were trapped inside the building.
The man who is holding the hostages has barricaded himself inside and threatened to detonate a bomb - although it is unclear what his demands are.
“We have every single resource at our disposal out here to bring this to the safest resolution possible,” city police Sgt. Eric Celedon said, adding that the remaining hostages are in “good health”.
The police department’s crisis negotiation team remains in contact with the suspect by telephone.
CNN reported that around a dozen police cars are on the scene, along with a tactical vehicle and FBI agents
Stay with us as we bring all the latest updates throughout the day.
FBI says it is continuing to support response near Chase bank
07:54 , Shweta Sharma
The FBI's Sacramento field office said it is continuing to support the response to the active incident at the corner of 17th Street and Chester Avenue in Bakersfield, California.
This is the latest update from the law enforcement authorities
Authorities are urging residents to continue avoiding the area as law enforcement personnel remain on the scene and the situation remains ongoing.
FBI Sacramento is continuing to support the response to active scene at corner of 17th Street and Chester Ave. in Bakersfield, California. Please continue avoid the area. pic.twitter.com/3242xna9ls
— FBI Sacramento (@FBISacramento) June 3, 2026
Latest pictures from outside building where hostage crisis in unfolding
07:50 , Shweta Sharma
It has been 12 hours since the standoff between an unknown man and police began as the man took a number of people hostage in Bakersfield, California.
Police are still in contact with the man, whose demands have not been revealed to the public yet.
Two hostages have been released so far, while others are still inside.
Read Bakersfield mayor's full statement on hostage crisis
07:30 , Shweta Sharma
Bakersfield Mayor Karen Goh is urging members of the public to stay away from the scene of the ongoing hostage crisis inside a Chase bank.
Below is a statement she released to the public, obtained by KBAK.
We continue to closely monitor the situation unfolding in our city and remain concerned for the safety and well-being of everyone involved. I am grateful for the swift response and ongoing dedication of the brave men and women of the Bakersfield Police Department, who continue to serve and protect our community. I appreciate the collaboration and coordinated efforts of our law enforcement partners and other responding agencies. Thank you to the many who have reached out in concern. The best way the public can help at this time is by avoiding the area and allowing law enforcement officers, negotiators, and other trained professionals the space and opportunity to safely carry out their duties. The Bakersfield Police Department will continue to provide updates as appropriate. We ask the community to keep those affected in their prayers.
Picture shows family members of hostages waiting outside bank
07:06 , Shweta Sharma
Some of the family members of hostages have been seen waiting a block away from a bank building where a man barricaded himself inside.
Police have been able to negotiate the release of two people so far.
Others are believed to be in good health, police said.
Massive law enforcement presence outside bank as standoff hits 11 hours
06:52 , Shweta Sharma
Police can still be seen in large numbers outside the Chase bank building in Bakersfield as a hostage standoff stretched into its 11th hour.
Authorities said negotiations were ongoing and urged the public to avoid the area while officers continued efforts to resolve the situation safely.
The standoff began at 1pm and has since remained an active situation with police trying to negotiate with the suspect.
Hostage seen waving a hand in YouTuber's live stream
06:38 , Shweta Sharma
One of the hostages is purportedly seen waving their hands through a window of the building where a standoff is unfolding.
A local livestreamer called Dad’s Gone Live has been filming the ongoing hostage situation in Bakersfield.
The Independent cannot vouch for any facts on the channel’s stream.
The close-up of the bank showed a hostage’s hand as they appeared to remain on the ground.
Hostage is waving her arms for help. Bakersfield CA Go watch dads gone live on YouTube pic.twitter.com/c25Mw0NupL
— Bee (@littlebeemarie) June 3, 2026
JPMorgan Chase says branch has been evacuated
06:17 , Shweta Sharma
A spokesperson for JPMorgan Chase said the bank's branch, located on the ground floor of the building at the centre of the ongoing incident, is currently empty.
The spokesperson said the company is working closely with law enforcement authorities as they respond to the situation.
The building also houses a school district office.
Bakersfield bomb threat: Hostages are in 'good health', police say
05:57 , Shweta Sharma
Candidate cancels election night event
05:30 , Shweta Sharma
California's Democratic candidate Dr. Jasmeet Bains has cancelled her election night event because of the ongoing hostage situation in downtown Bakersfield.
Bains announced the decision as authorities continued to respond to the incident, which remains active.
“I am in active communication with local law enforcement. Members of the public should continue to avoid downtown Bakersfield at this time,” she said.
“My thoughts are with all of the families impacted by this concerning situation.”
California is holding its 2026 primary election, which took place on Tuesday.
Police negotiate release of second hostage
05:27 , Shweta Sharma
Police say they have successfully negotiated the release of a second hostage from the ongoing standoff at the Chase Bank building in downtown Bakersfield.
In an update, the Bakersfield Police Department said officers remain at the scene and that no injuries have been reported.
Authorities continue to urge the public to avoid the area as the incident remains active.
Police said they will provide further updates as more information becomes available
Community Update🚨
— Bakersfield Police Department (@bakersfieldpd) June 3, 2026
We remain on scene at the Chase Bank building and have negotiated the release of a second hostage. There are currently no injuries reported.
Avoid the area as this remains an active scene. We will continue to provide updates as information becomes available.
Trauma tents set up as precaution
05:15 , Shweta Sharma
Authorities have set up trauma tents near the scene as a precautionary measure, according to an eyewitness.
Jacob Davidson, a livestreamer known as Dad's Gone Live, said he saw law enforcement agencies setting up trauma tents tagged with green, red and yellow, and black markings.
The colour-coded tents are commonly used during emergency incidents to help first responders quickly triage and sort people according to the severity of their injuries if mass casualties occur.
Officials have not reported any injuries at this stage, but the tents allow emergency crews to respond rapidly should medical treatment become necessary.
Trauma tents set up as precaution
05:15 , Shweta Sharma
Authorities have set up trauma tents near the scene as a precautionary measure, according to an eyewitness.
Jacob Davidson, a livestreamer known as Dad's Gone Live, said he saw law enforcement agencies setting up trauma tents tagged with green, red and yellow, and black markings.
The colour-coded tents are commonly used during emergency incidents to help first responders quickly triage and sort people according to the severity of their injuries if mass casualties occur.
Officials have not reported any injuries at this stage, but the tents allow emergency crews to respond rapidly should medical treatment become necessary.
Local livestreamer films ongoing hostage crisis
05:00 , Josh Marcus
A local livestreamer called Dad’s Gone Live has been filming the ongoing hostage situation in Bakersfield.
The Independent cannot vouch for any facts on the channel’s stream, but its footage at least provides a clear picture of the ongoing police response to the standoff inside a Chase bank.
On Tuesday evening, the stream showed large groups of officers and agents standing and having conversations in a relatively relaxed manner.
Hostages are in 'good health', police say
04:45 , Shweta Sharma
Bakersfield police Sgt. Eric Celedon said one of the hostages was able to be released with the help of negotiations and the rest are in "good health”.
"We have every single resource at our disposal out here to bring this to the safest resolution possible," he said.
Nearby buildings were evacuated, including city hall and the police headquarters, and some roads were temporarily closed, according to officials.
The department's crisis negotiation team was in contact with the suspect by telephone.
Key questions remain unanswered in Bakersfield crisis
04:40 , Josh Marcus
Police have been responding to the Bakersfield crisis for roughly six hours, but few details have been shared with the public about the nature of the threat.
Officials have not announced the identity of the man inside the bank, whether he has made any demands, or whether a police search at a home in nearby Oildale is related to Tuesday’s hostage situation.
Hostages are in 'good health', police say
04:38 , Shweta Sharma
Bakersfield police Sgt. Eric Celedon said one of the hostages was able to be released with the help of negotiations and the rest are in "good health”.
"We have every single resource at our disposal out here to bring this to the safest resolution possible," he said.
Nearby buildings were evacuated, including city hall and the police headquarters, and some roads were temporarily closed, according to officials.
The department's crisis negotiation team was in contact with the suspect by telephone.
Read Bakersfield mayor's full statement on hostage crisis
04:20 , Josh Marcus
Bakersfield Mayor Karen Goh is urging members of the public to stay away from the scene of the ongoing hostage crisis inside a Chase bank.
Below is a statement she released to the public, obtained by KBAK.
We continue to closely monitor the situation unfolding in our city and remain concerned for the safety and well-being of everyone involved. I am grateful for the swift response and ongoing dedication of the brave men and women of the Bakersfield Police Department, who continue to serve and protect our community. I appreciate the collaboration and coordinated efforts of our law enforcement partners and other responding agencies. Thank you to the many who have reached out in concern. The best way the public can help at this time is by avoiding the area and allowing law enforcement officers, negotiators, and other trained professionals the space and opportunity to safely carry out their duties. The Bakersfield Police Department will continue to provide updates as appropriate. We ask the community to keep those affected in their prayers.
Lockdown in Bakersfield as hostage situation continues
04:18 , Shweta Sharma
Several buildings in downtown Bakersfield are on lockdown due to an active bomb threat and a hostage situation inside Chase Bank.
About a dozen police cars were at the scene along with one tactical vehicle and multiple emergency responders, as well as FBI agents.
According to ABC affiliate KERO, a number of nearby buildings including Bakersfield City Hall and Police Headquarters are under lockdown as a precaution.
The FBI and the Department of Homeland Security are assisting.
Suspect contained inside the bank with 'a number of community members', police say
04:01 , Shweta Sharma
The suspect behind a bomb threat at a Chase Bank branch in downtown Bakersfield remains contained inside the building with “a number of community members”, according to the Bakersfield Police Department.
Sgt. Eric Celedon said the suspect is refusing to allow the individuals to leave a room inside the bank, but added that all those inside are safe.
Authorities continue to treat the bomb threat as active.
No injuries had been reported as of 4:30 p.m.Officers, including members of the department's Crisis Negotiation Team, remain in contact with the suspect by telephone.
No arrests have been made.
Celedon said the suspect had not made any demands.
In depth: Man barricades himself inside Southern California bank with hostages
04:00 , Josh Marcus
A man barricaded himself inside a bank building in Bakersfield, California, with an unknown number of people on Tuesday, police said.
Officers responded to a report of a bomb threat at around 1 p.m. at a Chase Bank in downtown Bakersfield, where they found that a man had locked himself inside the building with “several community members,” according to the Bakersfield Police Department.
Some of those inside were able to escape, officials said. No injuries have been reported, and nearby buildings, including city hall and police headquarters, were placed on lockdown.
Police said the department’s crisis negotiation team is in contact with the suspect by telephone.
Man barricades himself inside Southern California bank with hostages, police say
Homeland Security joins agencies on scene of Chase hostage situation
03:40 , Josh Marcus
Federal officials have joined local police in responding to the ongoing hostage situation inside a Chase bank building in Bakersfield.
The FBI is on the scene, and local station KGET reports that the Department of Homeland Security has also joined the effort.
Bakersfield crisis comes as Californians head to the polls
03:20 , Josh Marcus
The ongoing hostage situation in Bakersfield comes as California voters finish heading to the polls.
Citizens across the state are casting their ballots today in primary elections.
The Bakersfield crisis could impact turnout, as it has prompted evacuations and lockdowns of city buildings.
Police throwing 'every single resource' at hostage threat
02:57 , Josh Marcus
Police say they are using every tool possible to tackle the ongoing hostage situation at a Bakersfield bank.
“We have every single resource at our disposal out here to bring it to the safest resolution possible,” Bakersfield Police Sgt. Eric Celedon said in an update late Tuesday, “from the SWAT team, bomb squad, crisis negotiators, our drone team, K9 unit as well as our federal partners.”
Police provide update on hostage crisis, though few details are known
02:48 , Josh Marcus
Bakersfield police have just shared an update regarding the ongoing hostage situation inside a local bank building, but details remain scant about the crisis.
Officers got a report of a bomb around 1 p.m., the department said in a press release.
“During the investigation, it was determined that an adult male subject had barricaded himself inside the building with several community members,” the department wrote. “No injuries have been reported.”
“Officers responded to the scene and established a perimeter around the building and surrounding businesses to ensure public safety,” the statement continued. “Some community members were able to evacuate.”
Bystander describes scene at Chase standoff
02:45 , Josh Marcus
Jacob Davidson, a livestreamer known as Dad’s Gone Live, was about block from the Chase Bank as Tuesday’s hostage situation began to unfold.
He said he was alerted to the crisis when subscribers began calling him.
“I went into the bank’s parking garage and watched the cops enter the back of the bank. This is the biggest police presence I’ve ever seen in this town,” Davidson told NBC Los Angeles. “Now I’m watching them set up the trauma tents with the green, red and yellow tags, and black tags too, along with a command center about a block away.”
PHOTOS: Police respond to hostage crisis in Bakersfield
02:31 , Josh Marcus
Second cluster of police spotted in city near Bakersfield
02:21 , Josh Marcus
As police surround a Chase Bank building in Bakersfield, a second cluster of officers was reportedly seen outside a home in nearby Oildale.
The group included officers and the Kern County bomb squad, Bakersfield Now reports.
It is unclear whether this deployment is related to the ongoing bomb threat and hostage situation in Bakersfield.
FBI is assisting in response to Bakersfield crisis
02:16 , Josh Marcus
Federal agents are joining local police in Bakersfield to respond to the ongoing hostage situation.
“FBI Sacramento is aware of the crisis in progress near the corner of 17th Street and Chester Ave. in Bakersfield, California, and are sending resources to assist @BakersfieldPD,” the bureau wrote on X. “Please avoid the area.”
Bakersfield mayor on bank hostage situation
02:04 , Graeme Massie
Mayor Karen Goh released the following statement on the hostage situation.
“We continue to closely monitor the situation unfolding in our city and remain concerned for the safety and well-being of everyone involved,” she said.
“I am grateful for the swift response and ongoing dedication of the brave men and women of the Bakersfield Police Department, who continue to serve and protect our community.
“I appreciate the collaboration and coordinated efforts of our law enforcement partners and other responding agencies.
“Thank you to the many who have reached out in concern. The best way the public can help at this time is by avoiding the area and allowing law enforcement officers, negotiators, and other trained professionals the space and opportunity to safely carry out their duties.
“The Bakersfield Police Department will continue to provide updates as appropriate. We ask the community to keep those affected in their prayers.”
Pictures from scenes of bank hostage situation
02:01 , Graeme Massie
Man barricades himself inside Southern California bank with hostages, police say
01:59 , Graeme Massie
Man barricades himself inside Southern California bank with hostages, police say
Scenes from bank hostage situation in Bakersfield, California
01:56 , Graeme Massie
