Hostages Safe, Suspect Dead After 15-Hour Bank Standoff in Bakersfield

A tense hostage situation at a Chase bank branch in Bakersfield ended early Wednesday morning with the suspect dead and all hostages rescued unharmed. The standoff began around 1 p.m.

Tuesday when a man barricaded himself inside the multi-story building, which also houses a school district office, with several community members. Crisis negotiators and FBI agents responded after a bomb threat call was investigated.

The situation concluded at approximately 4 a.m. Wednesday with a law enforcement shooting, according to Bakersfield police.

The suspect was pronounced dead at the scene. All hostages were located unharmed and received medical evaluation and treatment at the scene.

Bakersfield police stated that their officers were not involved in the use of force. Witnesses reported that around 2:30 a.m., dozens of SWAT members swarmed the bank and brought a man, possibly the suspect, out of the building overnight.

Video showed officers escorting a group of about seven people from the building. Nearby buildings were evacuated.

A JPMorgan Chase spokesperson confirmed the branch is on the ground floor and is currently empty, and the company is cooperating with authorities. Residents were urged to avoid the area, which remained blocked off with yellow police tape.

Bakersfield Mayor Karen Goh said, "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."