FBI neutralizes man in bomb threat at Chase building in Bakersfield, 10 hostages rescued

Key Points:

• A hostage situation at a Chase Bank in Bakersfield ended with all 10 hostages, employees of the Kern County Superintendent of Schools, being rescued and the suspect, 41-year-old Anthony Scott Searles-Harris, shot and killed by the FBI Hostage Rescue Team early Wednesday morning.
• The incident began on June 2 at 12:59 p.m. when Searles-Harris entered the bank with explosives, barricading himself on the second floor and taking hostages; negotiations led to the release of two hostages before stalling, prompting FBI involvement and a SWAT takeover at 9 p.m.
• The suspect, a dishonorably discharged Army veteran with a criminal history including violent offenses and sex crimes, had tied up five hostages and claimed explosives were attached to some hostages, which were later determined not to be a threat after testing by bomb technicians.
• Multiple agencies supported the operation, including FBI teams from various locations, ATF, Homeland Security, DEA, and local law enforcement; a search warrant was executed at the suspect’s residence, and the investigation is ongoing regarding the motive and intended target.
• Statements from Kern County Superintendent of Schools and Chase Bank expressed relief at the safe resolution, praised law enforcement efforts, and committed to supporting affected employees; the FBI encourages the public to provide tips related to the investigation.