A man who held hostages inside a bank in Bakersfield, California, has been shot and killed by the FBI, police have confirmed. The suspect, who had a bomb strapped to his body, was killed in an officer-involved shooting involving FBI personnel early on Wednesday morning.
The standoff began at around 1pm on Tuesday when police responded to a bomb threat at a Chase bank in downtown Bakersfield. The unidentified man barricaded himself inside with an unknown number of hostages. The situation lasted roughly 12 hours, concluding at approximately 4.20am.
All hostages were released unharmed, with one freed on Tuesday afternoon and a second released on Tuesday evening. Police said the remaining hostages were in good health. Family members gathered outside the building overnight, awaiting their loved ones.
Road closures and evacuation orders were in place around the bank, with police advising residents to avoid the area. Several city buildings, including city hall and police headquarters, were locked down. The investigation remains ongoing.
Dr Jasmeet Bains, a candidate for California's district 22, cancelled her election night watch party in downtown Bakersfield due to the incident. A JPMorgan Chase spokesperson said the bank was co-operating with law enforcement, focusing on the safety of everyone involved.
