Man takes hostages at California bank as bomb threat prompts evacuations
NBC News • • general
Key Points:
- A man barricaded himself inside a Chase Bank in Bakersfield, California, with an unknown number of hostages following a bomb threat reported around 1 p.m. local time.
- Crisis negotiators from the Bakersfield Police Department and the FBI are actively working to resolve the situation peacefully, successfully securing the release of one hostage so far.
- No injuries have been reported, and the remaining hostages are said to be in good health as police continue negotiations with the barricaded individual.
- The area around the bank has been evacuated, roads closed, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is providing additional resources.
- JPMorgan Chase emphasized its focus on the safety of everyone involved and is cooperating fully with law enforcement authorities.