California Today

Hostages Released, Suspect Dead After 15-Hour Standoff and Bomb Threat at Bakersfield Bank Building

03 June 2026 11:10

A 15-hour hostage standoff at a Chase Bank building in Bakersfield, California, ended with the suspect dead and all hostages unharmed. - Suspect Anthony Scott Searles-Harris, 41, an Army veteran and convicted sex offender, was killed by FBI personnel.

- He took 10 hostages and claimed to have explosives on himself and some hostages. - Two hostages were released during negotiations; the remaining eight were freed after the shooting.

- The incident prompted a lockdown of nearby government buildings and a large police response. The FBI is investigating the use of deadly force.

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Bakersfieldcrimepoliceincident