• FBI Shot the Suspect of the California Hostage Crisis
  • Hostages Were Unharmed
  • Investigation Remains Ongoing

A tense hostage crisis kept authorities in California on alert after a man barricaded himself inside a building that houses a Chase Bank branch in Bakersfield and threatened to detonate a bomb.

The incident began Tuesday afternoon and, more than 16 hours later, remained active as specialized FBI teams and local forces continued negotiations to try to resolve the situation without casualties.

Authorities confirmed that several people were trapped inside the property when the suspect barricaded himself in the building.

Two of the hostages were released during conversations between negotiators and the man.

So far, no injuries have been reported.

FBI Took Tactical Control After Hours of Negotiations

 

According to official information, the Bakersfield Police Department received a call around 1:00 p.m. Tuesday warning of a bomb threat at the building located in the city’s downtown area.

When officers arrived at the scene, they found a man barricaded inside the property with several people.

The situation led to a major security deployment that included patrol cars, tactical vehicles, and specialized teams.

Around 11:00 p.m., the Federal Bureau of Investigation took over SWAT operations related to the case.

The FBI office in Sacramento reported early Wednesday that the emergency remained active.

Authorities have not revealed how many people remain held inside.

California Authorities Say Hostages Are in Good Condition

Sergeant Eric Celedon said the people still inside the building remain stable.

“We have each and every resource available to us here to bring this to the safest possible resolution,” the officer said.

Police maintain phone contact with the suspect through a specialized crisis negotiation team.

In addition to the FBI, agents from the Department of Homeland Security and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are participating.

Authorities established a wide security perimeter around the area.

Several streets were closed and some nearby buildings had to be evacuated as a precautionary measure.

Evacuations and Maximum Alert in Downtown Bakersfield

Among the buildings affected by the restrictions are Bakersfield City Hall and the local police headquarters.

Authorities asked residents to stay away from the area.

“There is a very active scene. If you are in the area, please leave,” Celedon warned.

Although the location was initially identified as a Chase bank branch, the financial institution explained that the bank office located on the ground floor was empty at the time of the emergency.

A JPMorgan Chase spokesperson said the company is cooperating with authorities while the operation continues.

According to local reports, the building also houses offices unrelated to the bank.

Witnesses Describe Unprecedented Police Presence

 

Relatives of some of the people being held remained for hours one block from the building, waiting for news about their loved ones.

Jacob Davidson, known for livestreaming in the area, said he witnessed the police deployment from the first moments of the California bank emergency.

“I went to the bank parking lot and saw police entering through the back of the bank. This is the largest police presence I have ever seen in this city,” he said.

He later saw emergency medical tents being set up to classify possible victims according to the severity of their injuries.

“Now I am seeing them set up the trauma tents with the green, red, yellow, and also black tags, along with a command center about a block away,” he said.

During the night, a livestream captured images of a woman visible through a window and later two hands making signals from inside the building.

Mayor Karen Goh asked the public to stay away from the area so police, negotiators, and specialists could work safely.

The California hostage crisis also coincided with California’s primary election day, which led State Assemblymember Jasmeet Bains to cancel a political event scheduled for Tuesday night in downtown Bakersfield as uncertainty continued over the outcome of the hostage situation.

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SOURCE: The New York Times / Infobae