A man who held hostages inside a Chase bank in Bakersfield, California, was shot and killed by FBI agents early Wednesday morning, police said. The suspect, who had a bomb strapped to his body, had barricaded himself in the bank for approximately 12 hours.
All hostages were released unharmed, according to the Bakersfield Police Department. The standoff began around 1pm on Tuesday when officers responded to a bomb threat. The suspect initially refused to come out, and police later confirmed it was a hostage situation.
Two hostages were released on Tuesday afternoon and evening. Police said the remaining hostages were in good health. The incident concluded at about 4.20am on Wednesday with an officer-involved shooting involving FBI personnel. The investigation is ongoing.
Road closures and evacuation orders were in place around the downtown area. Several city buildings, including city hall and the police headquarters, were placed on lockdown. Dr Jasmeet Bains, a local candidate, cancelled her election night watch party due to the situation.
A JPMorgan Chase spokesperson said the bank was cooperating with law enforcement and focused on safety. The suspect's identity has not been released.
