The bank robber who claimed he had bombs strapped to his body is dead after an officer-involved shooting at a Chase Bank in Bakersfield, police said Wednesday morning.
All of the hostages have been freed and are unharmed, though they were given medical attention at the scene. The hostage situation ended around 4:20 a.m., police said.
“The hostage situation concluded following an officer-involved shooting involving Federal Bureau of Investigation personnel,” Bakersfield police said in a news release.
Assistant Bakersfield police chief Jeremy Blakemore said in a later press conference that the suspect had 10 hostages, some of whom he had rigged with alleged explosive devices. Blakemore said police confirmed visually that the explosive devices were on the suspect and hostages.
FBI agents respond after a man barricaded himself inside a building with hostages Tuesday, June 2, 2026, in Bakersfield. AP Photo/David Dennis
Just before 5 a.m., Key News Video captured what appears to have been about eight hostages with armed SWAT agents leaving the Chase bank. KNN
An apparent hostage spotted through the bank’s window. KNNTraffic closures in the area remain in place, and the investigation remains ongoing. A press conference will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, police said.
Police managed to coax the suspect into releasing two hostages earlier, with negotiators communicating with him over the phone.
Officials previously closed the area bounded by 18th Street and Truxtun Avenue, and between Chester Avenue and H Street.
When the man barricaded himself inside on Tuesday, several people were still in the Chase Bank. Some of the people inside the building were able to flee.
Police managed to coax the suspect into releasing two hostages with negotiators communicating with him over the phone. AP Photo/David Dennis
An apparent hostage seen through the window of the Bakersfield Chase bank. KNN
When the man barricaded himself inside on Tuesday, several people were still in the Chase Bank AP Photo/David DennisNo injuries have been reported. The Bakersfield Police Department released a statement around 6 p.m. Tuesday night saying that “an adult male subject had barricaded himself inside the building with several community members.”
Around 9 p.m. Tuesday, police provided another update saying they had negotiated the release of a second hostage.
“We remain on scene at the Chase Bank building and have negotiated the release of a second hostage,” police said. “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.”
Police managed to coax the suspect into releasing two hostages earlier, with negotiators communicating with him over the phone. KNN
Around 9 p.m. Tuesday, police provided another update saying they had negotiated the release of a second hostage. KNNThe FBI has assumed “SWAT operations,” according to the New York Times. FBI Sacramento stated its intention to “support the response” overnight.
Bakersfield Mayor Karen Goh previously said she is closely monitoring the situation.
“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,” she said in a statement.
Police said they received a call about a bomb threat inside the bank on Tuesday, according to Good Morning America.
“The suspect possibly has a makeshift detonator in his hand and wires coming out from under his shirt,” a police radio broadcast said.
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